At least seven people were killed in a methane blast in Russia's largest mine in West Siberia, the regional emergencies ministry said on Sunday.
A total of 66 miners remain trapped underground, and rescuers established contact with some of them.
An emergencies ministry officer earlier said the explosion occurred at 8:55 p.m. Moscow time (16:55 GMT). There were 359 people in the mine at the moment of the blast, 282 people were taken to surface.
A total of 11 rescue teams are currently involved in rescue efforts.
KEMEROVO, May 9 (RIA Novosti)
