ABOUT 24 miners trapped by an underground fire are still missing in a gold mine in Siberia, according to reports. Sixty-four miners were underground when welding work caused the fire in the Darasun mining complex in Russia�s remote Chita, 5,000 kilometres east of Moscow, the emergency officials said.

Although some miners crawled to safety, rescuers were working all night trying to bring the rest of the men to the surface. One rescue team, however, returned to the surface because of high temperatures and thick smoke.

Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Yulia Stadnikova said 24 miners were missing and 15 others were hospitalized. She said the fire, which broke out at a depth of between 280 and 430 feet, was contained yesterday evening. Rescue efforts were being hampered by damage and smoke.