A TV image shows damage to the Sayano-Shushinskaya power station in southern Siberia where 64 missing workers were presumed dead after an explosion Monday. A TV image shows damage to the Sayano-Shushinskaya power station in southern Siberia where 64 missing workers were presumed dead after an explosion Monday. (Rossiya TV Channel/Associated Press)

There is little hope of finding 64 people missing after an accident at Russia's largest hydroelectric plant Monday, the dam's owner said Tuesday in Moscow.

Though the search continues, finding anyone alive is unlikely, said Vasily Zubakin, chair of state-run hydroelectricity company RusHydro.

If realized, the latest deaths would push the toll much higher than the 12 confirmed so far. Officials said the workers were drowned or crushed.

RusHydro said a faulty turbine at the Sayano-Shushinskaya dam in southern Siberia built in 1978 was likely to blame.

The accident shut the power plant down, and left several towns and major factories without electricity. Supplies from other power plants were being rerouted to help cover the shortfall.

With files from The Associated Press