MOSCOW, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Investigators have launched a criminal probe into a coal mine accident that killed four miners in Russia's Siberia region on Sunday.
The accident, which occurred at about 2:15 a.m. Moscow time (2215 GMT Saturday) in the Prokopyevsky district of Kemerovo Region, had left four people dead and four others trapped underground, the Emergency Situations Ministry's local branch said.
A criminal investigation was underway on charges of violation of safety rules during mining works, the regional Investigative Committee said.
Law violators could face up to eight years in prison under Russia's Criminal Code, local media reported.
Rescuers discovered the miners' bodies and identified them as shaft miners aged from 27 to 45. They died of smoke inhalation, according to rescuers.
A total of 77 people worked in the tunnel when the accident took place. By 4:55 a.m. local time, 69 miners have been evacuated from the site, emergencies authorities said.
Specialists and experts have determined the location of the four trapped miners. However, a rescue operation was suspended on Sunday Morning for fear of gas explosion regarding the high methane concentration in the tunnels, emergencies officials said.
A regional emergency center was set up in preparation for further rescue and medical efforts.
Meanwhile, families of the coal mine accident victims will receive three million rubles (100,000 U.S. dollars) in aid, regional authorities said.
Methane explosion is a major cause of fatal accidents in Siberian coal-producing regions. In may 2010, two gas blasts at a coal mine near the town of Mezhdurechensk killed 91 people.
Sanitation worker, environmental protector in city
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