Last body found in Komi coal mine

09:36, 12.02.2013 1 min read

The bodies of 17 workers killed in a methane explosion at the Komi Vorkutinskaya coal mine have been brought to the surface, coal mine chief engineer Sergei Moiseyev said at the daily briefing held by Russian Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov on Tuesday.

"Seventeen bodies have been retrieved; the methane concentration is reducing in the accident zone, it is down to 4% already," he said.

The 18th body has been found 15 meters away from the rock face. It will be raised to the surface, as well.

Methane exploded at the Vorkutinskaya mine of Vorkutaugol at the depth of 800 meters at approximately 10 a.m. on Monday. According to latest updates, 26 workers happened to be in the explosion epicenter; 18 of them died, three were taken to the Vorkuta hospital and five walked out of the mine unaided.