An explosion at a Siberian coal mine killed at least 36 people today.
At least two people are still missing at the Yubileynaya pit in the Kemerovo region of western Siberia, about five hours after a methane blast tore through the mine, an Emergencies Ministry spokeswoman said.
A total of 217 people had been working in the Yubileinaya mine at the time; soon afterwards 179 miners were safely brought to the surface, including seven with injuries.
Russia's industrial safety watchdog said its inspectors had twice applied to have the Yubileynaya mine closed for safety violations, including in the shaft at the centre of the blast, but they were overruled by local courts.
The explosion comes after 110 miners died last March in a blast at a neighbouring mine operated by the same company.
Both incidents occurred at mines operated by Yuzhkuzbassugol, a subsidiary of coal and steel producer Evraz. Russian industrial safety officials today said the company's licence may be revoked.
Many of the country's mines fell into disrepair when government subsidies dried up after the 1991.