4 dead in russian coal mine accident

At least four miners died early on Sunday as a result of smoke inhalation during an accident at a coal mine in southwestern Siberia’s Kemerovo Region, local emergencies services reported. A total of 77 miners were working underground at the mine No. 7 in the Prokopyevsky district when smoke started spreading through the tunnels. An initial report said one miner died and seven were missing, but an update added three more victims to the death toll. Sixty-nine people have been successfully evacuated, (RIA Novosti) reported. “Rescuers have discovered three more bodies. The fate of the four missing miners remains unknown as the search for them continues,” the latest official report said. Kemerovo Region Governor Aman Tuleyev is personally leading the rescue effort. Kemerovo is part of Russia’s major coal-producing Kuzbass region.