Collapse at Nickel mine that Putin visited kills 2

Two nickel miners died of injuries suffered in a collapse at the Oktyabrskaya Mine in the Norilsk industrial district. As reported to Rosbalt by the information office of the Russian Emergencies Ministry, the accident began with the sudden collapse of a stratum of rock. Rescue workers responded to the tragedy immediately. One miner died of his injuries at the scene. The second died en route to the hospital in an emergency ambulance. A special commission will seek to determine the cause of the collapse.

The Oktyabrskaya Mine is part of Norilsk Nickel. Excavations are done at depths of 800 to 1,000 metres. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the mine, descending to the working surface, in March 2002 during a working visit to Norilsk.