Russian mine search halted, death toll reaches 66

The search for 24 men still missing after a Siberian mine disaster that killed at least 66 was halted on Thursday because of fears of new underground blasts, Russian media quoted emergency officials as saying.

Authorities have said a methane gas blast ripped through the Raspadskaya mine late Saturday, followed hours later by a stronger explosion that wrecked the mine's main ventilation shaft and badly damaged buildings on the surface. (Reuters)