Coal mine fire in Russia’s Siberia kills 14, dozens missing
By DARIA LITVINOVA
Associated Press
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities have called off a search for dozens of people still missing about 250 meters (820 feet) underground, following a coal mine fire in Siberia that killed at least 14 miners and rescuers. Rescue teams were rushed out of the mine for safety reasons Thursday because of a buildup of explosive methane gas and a high concentration of toxic fumes from the fire. It was feared that the 38 missing people were already dead as their oxygen supply would have finished within hours even if they survived the blaze. Authorities said 11 miners were found dead and three rescuers also died later while searching for others trapped in a remote section of the mine.
