SEARCH crews blasted through solid rock to rescue 11 of 13 coal miners who emerged covered in soot yesterday after six days trapped in a deep shaft in southern Russia.

Eleven coal miners who were trapped in a deep shaft in southern Russia for six days emerged alive today after rescuers had worked around the clock to blast a tunnel through solid rock.

Eleven of 13 coal miners who were trapped in a deep shaft in southern Russia for six days were found alive today.