The search for 13 men, trapped in a mine in Amur Oblast, ceased after two weeks, as reported on April 1 by the Telegram channel covering the rescue operation.
The mission was curtailed for the safety of the rescuers, due to the risk of a new landslide and further flooding of the mine. The areas where the missing miners could be hiding are filled with rocks, clay, ice, and water. The search for the 13 trapped men continued since March 18.
The Pioneer gold mining company expressed condolences to the relatives of the miners and pledged to provide each family member with a one-time compensation equal to a miner’s yearly wage. Starting April 1, the families will receive monthly payouts for underage children. Authorities will also issue compensation.
Four of the missing miners were from the town of Sibay in Bashkortostan. The men’s relatives said that the republic’s authorities did not cover the tragedy and did not reach out to the men’s families or provide them with any assistance. The wife of the miner Vadim Nikolayev started a petition, criticizing the authorities and the rescuers. Over 2,000 individuals endorsed her appeal to Vladimir Putin, urging the president to take the rescue mission under his personal control.