Nizhny Tagil ore mine blast death toll reached 9, occurred December 23 in Sverdlovsk region, Russia.

Bodies of all 9 victims are retrieved, Vesti informs. As of now, only 7 bodies are identified.

The blast in Yestyuninskaya Mine (owned by Evraz Corp) rocked Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. local time at a depth of 180 metres, when 123 miners were working in the spot. Most of them were immediately evacuated, and then the rescue-operation works launched. According to preliminary data, the probable cause was violation of explosive transportation rules, resulting in ammonite explosion.

Criminal proceedings were instituted.

K.M.