14 dead and 35 missing in Russian mine fire

At least 14 people have died after a fire at a coal mine in Siberia that left 35 others missing and feared dead.

Authorities said 11 miners were found dead and three rescuers died later while searching for others trapped at a remote section of the Listvyazhnaya mine in the Kemerovo region.

Regional officials declared three days of mourning for the victims.

Kemerovo governor Sergei Tsivilyov said 35 miners remained missing and their location was unknown.

Efforts to rescue those trapped in the mine about 820ft underground were halted on Thursday afternoon because of an explosion threat, and rescuers were rushed out of the mine.

The Interfax news agency reported the miners’ oxygen supplies normally lasting for six hours that could be stretched for a few more hours, but would have expired by late last night.

Nearly 50 other miners were injured. A total of 285 people were in the mine in the south west.