Head of Russian mine where 66 died in explosions charged with safety violations

Head of blast-shattered Russian mine charged

MOSCOW — The head of the Russian coal mine where a pair of explosions killed at least 66 people this month has been charged with violating safety regulations.

If convicted of the charge, which was announced Thursday by Russia’s Investigative Committee, Igor Volkov could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison. He resigned as director of the Raspadskaya mine this week.

The mine in western Siberia was rocked by two explosions about four hours apart on May 8-9. Nineteen of those killed were rescue workers sent in after the first blast.

Twenty-four more miners are missing and presumed dead. Rescue work at the mine was suspended last week because of high methane levels.

The Investigative Committee statement did not specify what safety violations Volkov is accused of.