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Cause of deadly mine explosion being investigated in Russia

Xinhua, January 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

Local authorities in Russia's Sverdlovsk region on Sunday said the deadly iron ore mine explosion happening a day before could be caused by "casual detonation" of explosives weighing 12 kilograms.

"This is the main version (given by the investigators), and more detailed information would be available after forensic and explosive tests," said Alexander Shulga of the regional department of the Investigative Committee.

A blast took place 04:45 a.m. Moscow time (0145 GMT) Saturday when 94 miners were working underground. Ninety-one of the miners were rescued, but the three others were killed, TASS, the Russian news agency reported, quoting a local police source.

Local police earlier Saturday gave a different version of the cause behind the blast by saying the explosion could be triggered by a fire that set off the quarry powder, due to a breach of safety regulations in the Yuahnaya iron ore mine.

The forensic lab work was underway to identify the dead, while the injured were hospitalized, according to the investigators.

A criminal case of the accident has also been opened to investigate possible violation of safety requirements for mining, construction and other works. Endite