MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Rescuers will drill two exploratory holes in the mine shaft at the Pioneer Mine in the Amur Region, where miners are trapped after a rock collapse, head of the region Vasily Orlov said on his Telegram channel.

"The decision was made to drill a second exploratory hole into the choked mine shaft at the Pioneer Mine. The first one goes to the alleged location of the miners; its drilling started today. The second one will link rescuers with the mine level closer [to the top]. It will help to more accurately assess the situation inside," the governor said.

Special chambers will be fed into the ready holes, Orlov noted. "Clearing of debris continues. Specialists plan to erect a concrete barrier at night that will protect from water and [prevent] another rock collapse," the governor added.

On March 18, a rock collapse occurred at the Pioneer goldmine in the Amur Region. According to the Ministry of Emergencies, thirteen people are trapped there. Rescue operations are underway in the mine, complicated by water ingress.