Six killed in iron-ore mine blast in Russia

One of Russia's largest steel and mining companies says an explosion in one of its mines has killed six people, while three are missing.

One of Russia's largest steel and mining companies says an explosion in one of its mines has killed six people, while three are missing.

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Evraz Group says today's blast occurred when explosives detonated unexpectedly as they were being transported
underground at the Yestyuninskaya mine in the Ural Mountains.

Evraz spokesman Alexei Agureyev says the Yestyuninskaya mine has suspended operations.

The mine is one of four owned by Evraz subsidiary Vysokogorsky GOK in the city of Nizhny Tagil. Evraz is London-listed and part-owned by billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Mine explosions and other industrial accidents are common in Russia and other former Soviet republics, and are often blamed on a failure to follow safety regulations.