Dozens of miners are trapped after a fire at a coal mine in Siberia killed 11 and injured more than 40.
The fire broke out in the Kemerovo region in southwestern Siberia on Thursday after coal dust reportedly caught fire at the Listvyazhnaya mine.
Efforts to rescue those still trapped in the mine were paused on Thursday because of an explosion, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency. About 35 miners remain trapped underground, according to Kemerovo Gov. Sergei Tsivilyov.
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A total of 285 people were in the mine at the time of the incident. Tsivilyov said 49 people with injuries sought medical assistance.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation, and President Vladimir Putin extended his sympathies to the families of those killed.
The latest inspection of the mine took place just a week ago on Nov. 19, according to Interfax, citing Rostekhnadzor, Russia’s state technology and ecology watchdog. In April, the watchdog inspected the mine and registered 139 different violations, according to the state news agency Tass.
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The Nov. 19 report didn’t offer any details on the results of the inspection.
