110 Deaths in Siberian Coal Mine Last Week is Russia’s Worst Disaster in Decades

The death toll in the tragic coal mine explosion in Russia on 19 March is 110 miners, most of them members of ICEM affiliate Russian Independent Coal Miners’ Union (ROSUGLEPROF). The country’s worst mining accident in decades occurred at the Ulyanonskaya mine near the city of Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo, in southern Siberia.

At the weekend, rescue workers began operating a second pump to remove water from shafts, where the bodies of two miners are believed to be. Authorities have identified 100 of the 108 bodies recovered so far. It is thought to be the worst mining tragedy in the coal-rich Kuznetsk coal fields in 60 years.

“The enormity of this disaster is reflected in the great number of trade unions around the world that have reached out to ROSUGLEPROF with words of sympathy and solidarity,” said ICEM Gen. Sec. Manfred Warda. “The ICEM is joined in this period of grief with the families of the miners, and the managers who perished. This tragedy will mark a time when the world’s mining unions will double its efforts for safe mines.”

The methane gas explosion occurred when some 20 senior managers and technicians of Yuzhkuzbassugol were underground checking a newly-installed gas detection system. All were fatalities due to the explosion. Managers and technicians included the mine’s chief engineer, deputy production manager, deputy chief engineer for technology, technical director, chief mechanic, and a senior mechanic.

Also dying was a British technician, who worked for the company that installed the system, and his interpreter.

 "Danger Zone" sign (at entrance to Ulyanovskaya mine)

The Ulyanovskaya mine, operating only since 2002, is considered one of the safest and most modern in Russia. ROSUGLEPROF Vice President Ruben Badalov remains at the mine site as part of the official federal investigatory team probing the cause of the disaster. Two investigation commissions will simultaneously work to determine the cause; the federal team and a parallel regional commission headed by Kemerovo Governor Aman Tuleyev. Russia’s workplace Technical Inspectorate will also participate.

Yuzhkuzbassugol is 50% owned by Russia’s second largest steel and metals company, Evraz Group SA, with the other 50% held by a management team.