8 confirmed dead in Russian mine fire, 1 still missing

Rescuers have found eight bodies of nine workers trapped in a fire-stricken potassium mine in the Russian city of Solikamsk, TASS news agency reported Sunday.

On Saturday, a fire broke out at the depth of 340 meters in the mine in Russia's Perm Territory near the Ural Mountains. Eight of the 17 people working underground were evacuated.

The rescuers are trying to find the last worker trapped in the mine, but his chance of survival is little, TASS said, citing the on-site rescue command.

Relatives of the deceased have arrived at the site and the local government promised to provide all necessary aid.

The company Uralkali that owns the mine said the fire could have been caused by the construction works in the mine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has listened to reports of the accident and demanded all necessary measures to assist the families of the victims.