More than 50 now dead in coal mine blast; plus other top news today
Rescue crews have found a survivor in a Siberian coal mine where dozens of miners are presumed dead after a devastating methane explosion, a senior regional official said on Friday.
Kemerovo region Governor Sergei Tsivilyov said on the messaging app Telegram that the survivor was found in the Listvyazhnaya mine in southwestern Siberia, and “he is being taken to the hospital.”
Acting Emergency Minister Alexander Chupriyan identified the survivor as rescuer Alexander Zakovryashin who had been presumed dead. “I can consider it a miracle,” Chupriyan said.
Six more bodies were recovered on Friday morning, while 31 people remain missing. Authorities now put the presumed death toll to 51. Gov. Tsivilyov said finding other survivors at this point was highly unlikely.
Rescuers were for forced to halt their search for survivors following Thursday’s methane gas explosion and fire because of a buildup of methane and carbon monoxide gas. A total 239 people were rescued from the mine; 63 of them so far have sought medical treatment, according to Kemerovo officials.
It appears to be the deadliest mine accident in Russia since 2010, when two methane explosions and a fire killed 91 people at the Raspadskaya mine in the same Kemerovo region.
Scroll or swipe below to see a photo gallery of rescue operations.
People returning home from Thanksgiving festivities may encounter travel delays as a series of storms crisscross the country.
A strengthening cold front, followed by another fast-moving system, will impact many from the Plains to the Midwest, and even the Northeast. The second storm could bring the first measurable snowfall of the season to many cities on the East Coast. Here’s a rundown of today’s weather hotspots.
Many U.S. shoppers will return to stores and online over the next few days to seek out Black Friday and cyber deals. But Christine Koh at CNN has a contrary view. Read more here:
Some shoppers might be disappointed not to receive online orders, or find them damaged. Hundreds of FedEx packages were discovered discarded in a ravine in Alabama, and FedEx was on the scene to see what could be salvaged.
Finally, a new coronavirus variant alarmed health experts worldwide. Stocks sank, and new travel restrictions have been proposed. Here’s what you need to know.
