Russian coal mine fire - Rescue ops race against time to free dozens trapped after six die

An accident at a Russian coal mine in Siberia on Thursday killed at least six people and dozens are still trapped underground.

Officials said there were 285 people inside the Listvyazhnaya coal mine, in the Kemerovo region near the town of Belovo, when the accident occurred, local governor Sergei Tsivilev said.

There was no details given on the nature of the accident at the mine, where a methane blast in 2004 had previously killed 13 people.

Tsivilev said at least six people had died in the accident Thursday and that 49 remained underground.

"There is no communication with them," he said.

The emergencies ministry said the others inside the mine had been evacuated to the surface and that 45 people were injured.

Local investigators said that smoke spread across the mine at around 8:35 am local time on Thursday.

They said that, based on preliminary information, "a number of workers suffered smoke poisoning".

Russian state television showed images of rescuers and investigators working at the scene in snowfall.

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[irenecostigane]

Let's hope they save them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏 from Scotland.

[notwocdivad]

As an ex miner I understand what they are going through. Hope they get the trapped men out safe and well! I remember getting a care parcel from Russian miners during the miners strike in the 80's More than I got from anyone here! Not a religeous person but I will pray for their safe return to their fanilies.

[freqenc]

I remembered the last one. Hope everyone is OK. Prayers from Florida.

[napoleonbonaparte]

Its one of the worst ways to go. I don't normally comment on this stuff but I hope they get them out

[stephenlittle]

Let's hope they all come out safety.

[naiboz]

I hope Boris extends an offer of assistance

[ChocoMint]

Oh my...I heard already 52 people died from this tragic accident. Heart breaking.. Pray for their soul, and for their families.. from South Korea🙏

[superchickensoup]

Look if praying worked, then they would not need a rescue team, stop wasting your time with religion people, wake up!

[recyclinggestapo]

Extinguish the fire with soggy dinghy divers.

[RSK]

Ever hear of Centralia, Pa? Good luck tho.

[LordTantrums]

OMG all that CO2 and making the climate change issue worse!

[StrangerThanFiction]

You MUST hear this message! -- Jesus Christ died for sinners including you, on the cross with his own blood for your personal sins, repent and get saved or perish with the lost wicked world. God's word is coming to pass, it will only go downhill..

[mariuszhope]

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. There is no other middleman. May Jesus bless you, trust Him, give your life - and He will take care of it: pray, convert and believe in the Gospel - Romans 10 8-10 But what does that say? “The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, "that is, the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you say with your mouth, " Jesus is Lord "and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe, and you are justified, and with your mouth you confess your faith, and you are saved. " Mt 6 24-34 *