Avalanche kills 2 gold miners in Russia's Far East

Two employees of one of Russia's largest gold mining companies died as a result of an avalanche in Khabarovsk Region in Russia's Far East, the regional division of the Emergencies Ministry said Saturday.

Out of the 10 miners trapped under the avalanche, one was found dead and nine others were rescued. However, one of them later died in hospital, the division said in a statement.

The search and rescue operation involved people from the Mnogovershinnoye Mine of Highland Gold Mining Ltd. and the local fire station, who tried to use bulldozers, shovels and other tools to clear the snow, it said.