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Rock collapses at coal mine in southwest Siberia

According to preliminary data, three coalminers have been trapped

Yesaulskaya coal mine EPA/RASHID SALIKHOV

Yesaulskaya coal mine

© EPA/RASHID SALIKHOV

MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. Rock has collapsed at the Yesaulskaya coal mine in Novokuznetsk in southwest Siberia’s Kemerovo Region, the local emergencies services told TASS on Wednesday.

A total of 99 miners stayed in the coalmine at the time of the incident. The evacuation of coal miners is currently underway. Three miners were trapped inside, the local emergencies services said.

"The communication with the workers has been established. They are alive," the emergencies services said, adding that two rescue teams were working at the scene.

According to preliminary information, the coal mine’s ventilation system operates in a normal mode. There are no data on any persons who have suffered in the incident.

The local emergencies services reported earlier on Wednesday that rock had collapsed at the Yesaulskaya coal mine’s airway.

The Yesaulskaya coalmine extracts coal in Novokuznetsk. It is part of Yuzhkuzbassugol Company (Evraz Group).

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Earlier The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden has allowed to use US-supplied long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike inside Russia

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Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represents Russia at the event

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