Two methane explosions at a Siberian coal mine have killed 12 people and trapped 83 others, Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said.
The first blast occurred at a mine operated by OAO Raspadskaya in Kemerovo, West Siberia yesterday evening, the ministry said.
There were 359 people in the mine at the time of the explosion, 295 of whom were able to be brought to the surface.
The second blast came early this morning, and 55 people were injured in the explosions.
Some 83 people, including 19 rescue workers, remain in the mine.
The rescue operation has been suspended because of heavy smoke, according to the ministry.
Raspadskaya is Russia's largest producer of coal used in steelmaking.
