Update: Twelve died in mine accident
Twelve workers lost their lives in the explosion in a mine outside Kirovsk Thursday. Governor Yury Yevdokimov has declared an official day of mourning and the mine owner, Apatit Company, plans to give each of the killed workers’ families one million RUB compensation.
Twelve people died in Thursday’s accidental explosion in the course of blasting operations in the Rasvumchorr mine owned by the Apatit Company. Another six were injured.
Experts investigating the accident told RIA Novosti that the explosion occurred in an emulsion loading machine 614 metres under ground. At the time of the explosion, workers had already placed 19,2 tons of explosives and were planning to place another 30 tons ahead of the controlled blast, which was scheduled for Monday 15. Regional prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation in connection with possible safety violations leading to the explosion.
Apatit Company plans to pay the families of the killed and injured mine workers one million RUB compensation each, RIA Novosti reports.
Desember 16 is declared as day of mourning in Murmansk Oblast. According to a press release from the regional government, all flags will be flown at half-staff and cultural institutions and TV-companies are requested to change their programs.
