Death toll in Russian mining disaster soars to 52: Reports 

Moscow: The death toll from an accident in a Siberian coal mine has risen to 52 on Friday, Russia's TASS news agency quoted a source as saying.

Dozens of people were trapped underground when the mine filled with gas, and the victims included at least three rescuers that were sent down to save victims.

The incident is Russia's worst mining disaster in decade.

The accident occurred after coal dust in a ventilation shaft caught fire on Thursday, filling the Siberian mine with smoke and killing 11 on the spot.

By nightfall, a failed operation to reach dozens of missing miners had turned to tragedy after several rescuers reportedly suffocated. 

According to officials, 49 people were taken to hospital with injuries. 

Several miners were unable to escape after the initial incident, but rescue processes had to be suspended after dangerously high levels of methane were detected in the mine— prompting fears of possible explosions. 

Moreover, one of the rescue teams failed to emerge from the mine. 

Reportedly, late Thursday, it emerged that no further survivors were expected to be found and the death toll had risen to more than 50, including six rescuers in total.  

Following the fatal incident, three people—including the mine director, have been arrested over alleged safety failings. 

It is pertinent to mention here that it is not the first time that a deadly accident happened in mine.

In 2004, a methane gas explosion inside a mine killed at least 13. 

Later in 2016, authorities assessed the safety of Russia’s 58 coal mines and declared 34% of them potentially unsafe. The list did not include the Listvyazhnaya mine at the time, say Russian reports.