Siberia's miners trapped
2004-04-10 12:51
Moscow - A mine in southern Siberia collapsed early on Saturday, trapping 46 miners underground, Russian media reported.
The incident, which reportedly occurred due to an explosion of methane or other dangerous gas, took place in the Taizhina mine in Russia's Kemerovo region, the ITAR-TASS news agency said quoting emergency ministry officials.
Of the 51 miners underground at the time of the accident, five managed to climb out on their own, officials said.
The Russian mining industry, largely unprofitable and suffering from underfunding, is notoriously accident-prone. - AFP