On March 19, a methane explosion ripped through the Ulyanovskaya mine in Novokuznetsk, the largest coal-producing center in the Kemerovo Region, following the installation of British safety equipment, 108 people died in the blast.
"The commission considered four versions for the cause of the explosion, and we stopped at low-quality work on the electric cable, which caused a short circuit," Konstantin Pulikovsky told journalists while citing preliminary investigation data.
The head of the Federal Service for the Oversight of the Environment, Technology and Nuclear Management said the explosion could have occurred at any time before or after March 19.
"Any day when a spark appeared," Pulikovsky said.
He said methane sensors in the mine had been illegally readjusted to display lower methane levels.
"The British equipment failed to work because there had been unauthorized interference with the mine sensors and equipment servers, as a result methane levels in the mine were lower, and no one knew the real exact levels of methane. We have submitted materials to prosecutors," Pulikovsky said.
He said the degree of individual guilt will be established by a court. "We will do everything possible to bring this criminal case to court," he said.
On Monday, Pulikovsky said managers at all levels had been involved in the crime.
There were 203 people underground at the time of the explosion in the Ulyanovskaya mine, which besides miners took the lives of about 20 mine managers and engineers. A total of 93 miners were rescued, while two are still missing, in Russia's worst accident in 75 years.
The head of the commission investigating the accident said Tuesday the guilt of 42 people, eight of whom died during the explosion, has been established.
"The commission has established responsibility, 42 people are guilty for the accident," Nikolai Kutyin, who is Pulikovsky's deputy, said.
The governor of the Kemerovo Region said the mine management's actions were a crime committed to raise production figures.
"I fully agree with the commission's conclusions. The accident's cause was the deliberate actions of the Yuzhkuzbassugol company, and all responsibility lies with the company management. This is a deliberate crime committed in order to increase coal production," Aman Tuleyev said.
"The main mine management, who bear responsibility for the accident, died March 19 together with the miners," he said.
Yuzhkuzbassugol was unavailable for comment.
