Siberian Mine Explosion Kills 12

A Siberian coal mine explosion due to a methane blast has left at least 12 people dead in Russia. Of the 312 miners working, four escaped with injuries and 64 others were still underground four hours after the blast. Rescue operations have been halted due to poor visibility. The explosion, which occurred close to midnight, put a damper on Russians who were readying themselves to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. A second blast occurred at the Raspadskaya mine four hours after the initial one, according to NewsCore. Just one month ago, a similar explosion in a West Virginia mine claimed 38 in what would be one of the worst U.S. coal mine incidents ever.