Harrowing details are emerging of the explosion and flood that devastated Russia''s largest hydroelectric plant, killing at least 17 people and leaving 57 missing.

More than 1,000 rescue workers searched the massive Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric plant in southern Siberia on Thursday for the missing, although there is little hope anyone could still be alive after three days in near-freezing waters. The remaining water from the flooded turbine room was pumped out Thursday and three bodies were found.

A powerful explosion Monday blew out walls and caused the power plant''s turbine room to flood. Three of the plant''s 10 turbines were reportedly destroyed and three others damaged. The cause of the accident is unclear but officials cited a faulty turbine and a rise of pressure in the pipes as possible triggers.

The first victims of the accident were buried Thursday in the nearby town of Cheryomushki, which has been deeply shaken because whole families worked at the plant.