KEMEROVO, March 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's technological watchdog (Rostekhnadzor) has suspended work at two mines and 29 pits in West Siberia as part of checks following a methane explosion at a local mine, a local Rostekhnadzor official said Wednesday.
A total of 108 people were killed in the explosion at the Ulyanovskaya mine in the Kemerovo Region March 19, Russia's worst mine accident in the past 75 years.
Of the 58 local mines 36 have been checked this week, with operations in two mines being suspended for safety violations, the source said.
"Operations in 29 pits at other coal companies have also been suspended, but the companies are continuing operations," the official said.
The inspection of 60 mines in the Kemerovo Region began on March 22, with checks of all mines across Russia due to start March 27.
Preliminary investigation results indicate that the Ulyanovskaya tragedy was caused by serious breaches in safety regulations.
