Six workers trapped in Russia mine

Moscow: Six Russian miners were trapped underground on Friday after a cave-in at their pit in the Siberian region of Kemerovo.

When the incident occurred, 17 people were working underground in the Lenin mine, but 11 of them escaped to safety, a spokeswoman for the regional administration said.

A rescue operation was under way, she said, denying earlier media reports that three of the trapped miners had died.

"It is very hard work indeed. Rescue workers can use only their hands, because machinery can provoke a new cave-in," she told reporters by telephone from the regional capital of Kemerovo, also known as the centre of the giant Kuzbass coal basin.

"The mishap occurred at a depth of 400 metres. If need be, the rescue operation will continue through the night."