20 Killed in Siberia Coal Mine Explosion; Many Others Trapped

[mobuto]

An apparent methane gas explosion in a Siberian coal mine has killed at least 20 Russian miners and trapped 20 to 30 others underground.

At least 13 workers either have been pulled out of the Taizhina mine, southeast of the city of Novokuznetsk, or made it to the surface on their own. Only two of the rescued workers remain hospitalized.

Rescue operations are continuing in an attempt to free the others still trapped underground at a depth of 560 meters. About 150 rescuers are working to reach the miners through an adjoining mine shaft.

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