Emergency Situations Minister: 26 miners had no chance to survive after third explosion in Severnaya mine
VORKUTA. Feb 28 (Interfax) - There is practically no chance that any of 26 miners trapped in the Severnaya mine has survived, Russian Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov has told the press.
"We have to state that all parameters formed in the damaged part of the mine do not allow anyone to survive," he said.
"Data indicates high temperatures and the absence of oxygen in the underground space where 26 miners were stranded. Besides, the third explosion had its epicenter precisely in that sector," Puchkov said.
He added that final materials would be obtained by 10 a.m. Moscow time. "You will be notified about them," Puchkov said.
In his words, the situation in the mine has drastically exacerbated. "A third powerful explosion occurred today and led to severe consequences. Regretfully, five rescue professionals died in the line of search-and-rescue works; they were working under most complex conditions and demonstrated courage, heroism and top-notch skills but, regretfully, they died, and a mine worker died also," the minister said.
Another five persons were hurt. All rescue teams and specialists were rapidly evacuated from the mine.
A new explosion jolted the Severnaya mine at 1:24 a.m. Moscow time during works inside the Severnaya mine.
The explosion killed six people and injured another five.
A new explosion has made impossible any works in the Severnaya mine in Vorkuta, Denis Paikin, technical director of Vorkutaugol , has said.
"The zone dangerous for working has been reassessed; it has been expanded. Any works are not possible," he said at a meeting of the operative staff held by Russian Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov on Sunday.
The accident in the Severnaya mine occurred on February 25. A sudden discharge of methane and two explosions happened at the depth of 780 meters and rock collapsed. A fire broke out behind the collapsed rock. According to the latest information, four miners were killed and the fate of 26 remained unknown until Sunday morning.