Death toll at Russian coal mine rises to 18

Moscow, Feb 11 (AP) Russian authorities say 18 people have died in a coal mine blast in the north of the country. Vadim Kolesnikov, a duty officer at the Russian Interior Ministry, said only 10 bodies have so far been taken out of the mine in Russia's Komi region. Russian officials earlier said the blast occurred because of a build-up of methane. Deadly accidents at coal mines are recurrent in Russia largely stemming from negligence and lax safety regulations. (AP) ASY 02111700 NNNN