Moscow, 29 October 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Russian emergency workers have rescued 11 out of 13 miners who had been trapped for six days in a mine in the Rostov region, but the rescue came as another mine disaster in Russia claimed five lives. Officials at Russia's Emergencies Ministry said one of the 13 trapped miners was found dead, and the fate of another is unclear. Rescuers found the miners after drilling through solid rock to reach the shaft where the men had been trapped by rising water. The exhausted men are to be brought to the surface during the next hours.
In a separate incident today, five miners were found dead after an explosion struck a mine shaft in Russia's far eastern Primorye region. Emergency officials said the rest of the 71 miners working at the time were rescued, but several were in serious condition.
Officials said a buildup of methane gas had caused the explosion.
In a separate incident today, five miners were found dead after an explosion struck a mine shaft in Russia's far eastern Primorye region. Emergency officials said the rest of the 71 miners working at the time were rescued, but several were in serious condition.
Officials said a buildup of methane gas had caused the explosion.