Contact established with coal miners blocked in mine in Komi republic

MOSCOW, July 17 (Itar-Tass) -- Rescuers have established audio contact
with the three coal miners who have been buried in a mine in Russia's
republic of Komi, a spokesman for the Russian emergencies ministry told
Itar-Tass on Sunday.
According to the spokesman, the accident at the Severnaya mine
operated by Vorkuta-Ugol Co was reported at 20:00 Moscow time on Saturday.
"There was a rock failure at one of the coal-faces," the spokesman said.
A total of 70 miners were raised to the surface. Three miners have
been trapped in the mine. "They have been contacted by tapping. They are
alive," the spokesman said.
Rescue operations are underway.
"None of the 70 evacuated miners needed medical help," the spokesman
added.