Death Toll in Russian Mine Blast Rises to 30 with 60 Others Missing

The death toll from the coal mine blasts in Russia's Siberian region Saturday night has risen to 30, Russian news agencies reported on Monday.

"Thirty people are dead and 60 others missing are still trapped in the mine," Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted by Itar-Tass as saying.

Earlier reports said the methane gas explosions at the Raspadskaya coal mine killed 12 and injured 41 people, and dozens more remained trapped underground in Russia's west Siberian region of Kemerovo.

Founded in 1973, the Raspadskaya was one of Russia's leading coking coal producers, with total coal reserves estimated at 782 million tons.