A Russian passenger jet crashed and another apparently broke up in the air almost simultaneously after they took off from the same airport, raising fears of a double terrorist atrocity.

Hope is fading in the bid to reach 13 miners that rescuers believe could still be alive three days after being trapped in a coal mine which continues to flood with water.

Rescue workers today began lifting to the surface 46 miners trapped underground in a flooded coal mine for nearly two days in southern Russia.

Rescue workers said today that all 46 miners trapped underground in a flooded mine shaft for nearly two days in southern Russia were alive. None of the miners were seriously injured.

Police have released sketches of six suspects after bombings in southern Russia claimed at least 21 lives.