The Prime Minister visited the miners injured in the Raspadskaya mine accident near Mezhdurechensk, in a hospital in Novokuznetsk.

Vladimir Putin donned a white coat and entered the wards, accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, Minister of Healthcare and Social Development Tatyana Golikova, Minister of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief Sergei Shoigu and Kemerovo Region Governor Aman Tuleyev.

The Prime Minister talked to victims, asked about their health and wished them a speedy recovery.

The hospital's department chief Vladimir Kiselyov told Mr Putin that fifteen miners were still in the hospital, six of whom are in intensive care. The physician added that the patients were "in moderately grave and satisfactory condition". "Some of them were poisoned with carbon monoxide and suffer from barotrauma," the department chief reported.

"The shock wave," the Prime Minister noted.
According to Vladimir Kiselyov, the patients are receiving the necessary medical aid. "All of them need mostly psychological help," the physician said.

Vladimir Putin asked the Minister of Healthcare and Social Development, Tatyana Golikova, whether the hospital had the necessary drugs and equipment.

"It has everything they need," the Minister said. She added that the hospital in Mezhdurechensk bore the brunt of treating the injuries, but the patients, when possible, are now being transported to other hospitals. "We will bring them to Moscow if necessary," Tatyana Golikova said.

She answered the Prime Minister's question, saying that they are using Emergencies Ministry planes to transport the injured.

Vladimir Putin asked the Minister of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief Sergei Shoigu whether these planes have special medical equipment.

"Of course, these are air ambulances that have special equipment, including medical respirators," the Minister said.