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Explosion Leaves 75 Coal Miners Trapped Underground in Russia

A major rescue operation is underway after an explosion at a mine in eastern Russia left dozens of miners trapped deep underground and killed at least eight. The blast took place 820ft below the surface at Listvyazhnaya coal mine in Siberia shortly after 9am Thursday, when coal dust in the ventilation ducts caught fire. At least eight people - including a 23-year-old - were killed with another 43 suffering injuries from smoke inhalation, including two in serious condition. But many more are unaccounted for and feared trapped. Amid confusion over the numbers, regional governor Sergei Tsivilev said 49 were missing but other reports put the figure as high as 75.