The chief engineer of a mine in Russia’s Far East has been detained on suspicion of safety violations following an accident that has left 13 miners presumed dead. The incident occurred two weeks ago when a landslide hit the Pioneer gold mine in Russia’s Amur region near the Chinese border, trapping the workers more than 120 meters underground.

Initial search operations revealed flooded caverns where the miners could have sought shelter, leading to fears that they had perished in the landslide. State media reported on Monday that the emergency rescue operation has been called off.

The operator of the mine, Pokrovsky Mine, stated that drilling results indicated the areas where the miners might be located are filled with rock mass and water, posing a significant risk to rescuers and mine workers involved in the operation.

An investigation has been launched in Amur for suspected safety rule violations, resulting in the arrest of the managing director last week. The regional branch of Russia’s Investigative Committee is handling the case.

The Pioneer gold mine, known as one of the largest and most productive in Russia, has been a site of tragedy amidst a series of accidents in the country’s mining industry. Russia has faced criticism for lax safety standards and enforcement, leading to numerous mining-related tragedies over the years.

In 2021, a coal mine accident in Siberia claimed the lives of 40 miners, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the industry. Another blast in a separate mine in the Sverdlovsk region of west-central Russia resulted in one fatality and four rescues, according to regional health authorities.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed disappointment at the termination of the rescue mission, acknowledging that all possible measures were taken but conceding to the grim reality of the situation. The regional governor praised the efforts of emergency workers, emphasizing their bravery and the support provided to the families of the miners during this tragic time.

Sources By Agencies