Authorities began issuing compensation on Tuesday to the families of victims who died in Monday's methane gas explosion at the Vorkutinskaya mine in the far northern Komi republic, Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov told reporters.
On Monday, Puchkov said the families of those who died would each receive 2 million rubles ($66,000), RIA-Novosti reported.
The minister said the rescue workers had finished their search and rescue operation and found 18 bodies.
"At the moment, the bodies are being identified; medical staff and psychologists are working with the families," he said.
There were 259 people underground at the time of the accident, and most of them were evacuated. Twenty-six miners were working close to the site of the blast when it occurred, and 18 of them died.
The blast at the Vorkutinskaya mine, owned by steel giant Severstal, occurred at 10:28 a.m. at a depth of about 800 meters.
The Investigative Committee said Monday it suspected the blast was caused by a violation of safety standards, and had opened a criminal investigation into the accident.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.