11 Feb 2013 17:46

Rescue operation suspended in stricken Vorkuta mine

SYKTYVKAR. Feb 11 (Interfax) - Rescue operations have been suspended in the Vorkuta mine on reports about excessive gas accumulation, the regional emergency situations department's press service told Interfax.

"Gas is being removed from the Vorkutinskaya coal mine. The search is continuing for the three missing miners," the press service said.

Gas may trigger a second explosion, experts said.

The Komi Republic's emergency situations department earlier said 16 miners were killed, while the republic's Interior Ministry said 18.

Methane blew up at about 10 a.m. at a depth of 800 meters in the Vorkutinskaya coalmine.