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Nine workers trapped underground after a fire at a mine in Russia were burned alive, according to reports.
All nine men, aged between 26 and 57, died following a blaze 1190ft below the surface in Solikamsk.
The men were working as a maintenance crew and had oxygen kits but their bodies have been found by emergency service personnel.
Eight were rescued from the underground blaze in the mine which produces potassium-rich salt potash.
Burning high-voltage wires as well as thick smoke prevented rescuers from drilling into the shaft to reach the nine workers.