Rescue operation for trapped miners halted

Government says no chance trapped miners have survived
Rescue workers evacuated from mine after six die in further explosion


Criminal investigation launched



The news



The Russian government has confirmed that rescue operations have been halted after further blasts at a mine inside the Arctic Circle claimed another six lives.

Five of the latest to die were rescue workers.

26 miners were trapped underground at the Severnaya mine in the town of Vorkuta.

The head of the Komi republic, where the Vorkuta mine is located, has declared a three-day mourning period starting from Sunday.

A criminal investigation has been launched into a possible breach of safety regulations.


What happened?



The miners were trapped on Thursday after a sudden leak of methane gas caused two explosions.

Parts of the mine collapsed.

Officials say the area where they are is registering high temperatures and no oxygen supply.

110 people were in the mine at the time. In additio