Siberia mine blasts toll rises to 52
By IANSTuesday, May 11, 2010
Moscow, May 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The toll in two blasts at a coalmine in West Siberia has risen to 52, an official said Tuesday.
“A total of 52 bodies have been retrieved from the mine,” a regional emergencies ministry spokesman said, adding “Thirty-eight people are missing.”
Relatives have identified 44 bodies, said Nadezhda Ananyeva, regional investigation department spokeswoman.
More than 70 people were injured in the blasts at Raspadskaya coalmine near Mezhdurechensk town.
The blasts occurred late Saturday and early Sunday. About 370 people were in the mine at the time of the blasts. About 280 people were rescued.
Nineteen rescue workers have died in the second explosion after they entered the mine following the initial blast.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
