Nine die in Russian mine blast

An explosion at a Russian coal mine in the northern Komi region has killed nine people and eight more are feared trapped.

The Emergencies Ministry had said earlier today that nine miners were feared trapped and that at least eight had been saved.

The blast, at a mine owned by a division of one of Russia's largest steel producers, Severstal, was caused by a buildup of methane gas, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

It initially said 18 people had been trapped but later issued a statement saying several had escaped or been rescued.

The mine belongs to a division of Severstal, one of Russia's largest steel producers.

The coal mine in Russia's far north is owned by Vorkutaugol, in which Severstal has a more than 90 per cent stake.

Reuters