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Kemerovo governor sets up commission to probe into Ziminka mine accident

No damage was done to the mine. All miners were evacuated. The mine was de-energized

GORNO-ALTAISK, July 27 (Itar-Tass) —— Governor of Russia’s coal-rich Kemerovo region Aman Tuleyev has set up a special commission to investigation into the latest accident at the Ziminka mine which killed three miners, the press service of the regional administration reported on Friday.

According to the regional emergencies administration, a methane explosion at Ziminka in the town of Prokopyevsk was reported at 01:58 a.m. local time on Friday (21:58 Moscow time on Thursday). No fire followed. Eight rescue teams (48 men) and three medics were sent to the scene.

A total of 95 miners were inside at the moment of explosion, eight of them worked at the section where the blast took place. Three were killed, their bodies were found by rescuers. Five miners survived and got out of the mine themselves. No damage was done to the mine. All miners were evacuated. The mine was de-energized.

An investigation is underway.

The Ziminka mine is owned by the Siberian Business Union holding. Pressurized water method is used to mine coal at this mine.

Tuleyev and the mine’s owners agreed to pay one million roubles to the families of each killed miner, atop of all obligatory payments. Their children will be paid monthly wages of their dead fathers until they reach full age.