Estonian president sends condolences to Russia over mine fire that killed over 50

TALLINN – Estonian President Alar Karis on Friday sent his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over a major disaster at a coal mine near the town of Belovo in the Kemerovo region.

Karis said in his message that he was deeply hurt by the report of a tragedy in the neighboring country, where a fire in a coal mine near the town of Belovo in the Kemerovo region took the lives of more than half a hundred miners and mine rescue workers, spokespeople for the president said. 

"My condolences go to the families, loved ones, friends and colleagues of all those who have lost their lives. My thoughts are with the people of the town of Belovo, who have been closely affected by this tragedy," the Estonian head of state said.

On Thursday, a major accident occurred at the Listvyazhnaya mine in Russia's Kemerovo region, which killed at least 52 people and saw over 40 people hospitalized.