At least nine killed in Siberian gold mine fire

A fire in a gold and metals mine in Siberia killed at least nine miners, a Russian emergency official said today.

Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Yulia Stadnikova said 24 miners were missing and 15 other miners had been admitted to hospital as a result of the blaze that broke out yesterday in the Darasun mine in the Chita region, about 3,000 miles east of Moscow.

She said the fire, which broke out at a depth of between 280 and 430 feet, was contained yesterday evening.

Rescue efforts were being hampered by damage and smoke.