Death toll in mine disaster hits 31
The death toll from two explosions in Russia's largest underground coal mine has risen to 31, with about 59 people still trapped.
Rossiya 24 television said the government official heading the rescue operation announced the increased death toll during a briefing at the Siberian mine on Monday morning.
Rescue workers were able to go down into parts of the mine hit by two explosions over the weekend. High levels of methane gas raised fears of further explosions and hindered rescue efforts.
Many of the dead were rescue workers who entered the Raspadskaya mine after the first blast. The second more powerful blast destroyed the main air shaft.
Emergency minister Sergei Shoigu is heading a team of more than 500 rescue workers.