The fire broke out at a depth of 340 meters when the construction workers were installing a concrete line in the mine. Officials have denied initial reports of a methane explosion as a possible cause of explosion.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
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Rescue workers on Sunday retrieved dead bodies of nine workers after a fire broke out at a potash mine in Russia the day before.
The construction workers were trapped underground in the mine after smoke and fire erupted in the mine operated by Uralkali in Solikamsk, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) northeast of the capital Moscow.
According to Russia's Interfax news agency, there were 17 workers in the mine at the time of the accident. Eight managed to escape unharmed, it confirmed.
Poor safety record
State news agency TASS cited local authorities as saying that the fire broke out as workers were installing a concrete line at a depth of 340 meters.
It is unclear what caused the fire. Investigators denied initial reports that a methane explosion took place in the mine.
Russia's mining industry has been plagued by deadly accidents. In February 2016, 36 miners and rescue workers were killed in a coal mine above the Arctic Circle.
Mining in Tkibuli: Death is never far away
Mining is the backbone of the local economy in Tkibuli, a town in Georgia some 230 kilometers (142 miles) west of the country's capital, Tbilisi. A series of accidents and explosions has taken a heavy human toll.
Image: Reuters/D. Mdzinarishvili
'Nobody would work here if ...'
Over the past 16 months, close to 20 people have died during various mining accidents in the Georgian town of Tkibuli. "If there were a chance to find another job in this town, nobody would work at the mine," says Gocha Gabunia.
Image: Reuters/D. Mdzinarishvili
'I learn something every day'
While few of his young peers share his attitude, 20-year-old David Tsnobiladze sees his job as a continuation of a family tradition and actually loves to work here. "It's a difficlut job, but I learn something new every day."
Image: Reuters/D. Mdzinarishvili
'It's the spine'
Tsnobiladze is aware of the dangers of working at the Mindeli mine in Tkibuli. He's been there for two years. His father has worked here for 20 years, while his grandfather was here for 34 years. "The mine is the main part of the town, it's the spine," says David.
Image: Reuters/D. Mdzinarishvili
Tkibuli's dark heritage
The latest accident at the mine in July of this year was caused by a build-up of pressure eventually leading to an explosion. Four people died and six were injured. Unions renewed their calls to improve the miners' safety, as they had done after previous accidents.
Image: Reuters/D. Mdzinarishvili
Sorrowful times
Miner David Kublashvili, 38, waits to enter the Mindeli mine for yet another day underground. During the Soviet era, there were four mines in Tkibuli, and there were textile workshops plus other businesses. But those times are gone.
Image: Reuters/D. Mdzinarishvili
'Mine closure is no solution'
Although retired worker Guram Gamezardashvili lost his son during an accident in the mine earlier this year and got severely injured himself in 2010, he doesn't want the mine to shut down. "Closing the mine is no solution — so many people would starve if that happened."
