A projected 13 miners are still trapped underground following a gold mine collapse in Russia.
The country’s Ministry of Emergency Situations told Reuters that the incident occurred at the Pioneer mine in the Amur region, owned by Russian copper and gold miner UMMC. The group has been underground and unlocatable since 18 March.
They are said by local media to be at a depth of about 400 feet.
No names have been released, nor a timeline for rescue.
“Communications are being restored and mechanized clearing of the transport slope is being carried out,” the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app to the news service.
Amur governor Vasily Orlov told Fox News: “The situation remains difficult,” adding that no contact has been made with them since the collapse.
Pioneer, by processing capacity, is one of the country’s largest gold mines.