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Turkish mine explosion kills 40 and leaves many trapped Turkey coal mine explosion kills 40, injures 11
(about 3 hours later)
Forty people are now thought to have died following an explosion in a coal mine in northern Turkey, the country's interior minister says,Forty people are now thought to have died following an explosion in a coal mine in northern Turkey, the country's interior minister says,
Suleyman Soylu earlier said 58 people had been rescued from the mine and over a dozen remained trapped. Suleyman Soylu said 58 miners had been rescued, 11 had been injured and one was unaccounted for.
Around 110 people were in the mine at the time of the blast on Friday, almost half of them at over 300 metres deep. Around 110 people were in the mine at the time of Friday's blast, almost half of them at more than 300m (984ft) deep.
Emergency crews worked through the night, digging through rock to try to reach more survivors. Emergency crews had worked through the night, digging through rock to try to reach survivors.
Video footage shows miners emerging blackened and bleary-eyed accompanied by rescuers at the facility in Amasra, on the Black Sea coast. Video footage showed miners emerging blackened and bleary-eyed accompanied by rescuers at the facility in Amasra, on the Black Sea coast.
The family and friends of the missing could also be seen at the mine, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Family and friends of the missing could also be seen at the mine, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
"Fifty-eight of our miners were able to come out unharmed. We estimate that 15 of our miners are [trapped] below and we are trying to rescue them," Mr Soylu told reporters at the scene. With the discovery of the latest bodies, the massive rescue operation is - in the words of the energy minister at the scene - approaching its end.
The explosion is believed to have occurred at around 300m deep. Some 49 people had been working in the "risky" zone between 300 and 350m (985 to 1,150ft) underground, Mr Soylu said. Interior Minister Mr Soylu told reporters: "We have counted 40 dead in total. Fifty-eight miners were able to be rescued, either by themselves or thanks to rescuers."
The cause of the blast is not yet known, and the local prosecutor's office has begun an investigation. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - who is on his way to Bartin province, where the mine is located - said on Twitter that the judicial authorities would investigate.
Turkey's energy minister said there were initial indications that the blast was caused by firedamp, which is methane forming an explosive mixture in coal mines. The local prosecutor's office has already begun an investigation in the blast, the cause of which is not known.
"We are facing a truly regretful situation", he said. It is believed to have occurred at around 300m deep. At the time, some 49 people had been working in the "risky" zone between 300 and 350m underground, Mr Soylu said.
Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said there were initial indications the blast was caused by firedamp, which is methane forming an explosive mixture in coal mines.
There were partial collapses inside the mine, he said, adding that there were no ongoing fires, and that ventilation was working properly.There were partial collapses inside the mine, he said, adding that there were no ongoing fires, and that ventilation was working properly.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit the site on Saturday.
Amasra's mayor Recai Cakir said many of those who survived had suffered "serious injuries".Amasra's mayor Recai Cakir said many of those who survived had suffered "serious injuries".
One worker who managed to escape on his own said: "There was dust and smoke and we don't know exactly what happened."One worker who managed to escape on his own said: "There was dust and smoke and we don't know exactly what happened."
The mine belongs to the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises.The mine belongs to the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises.
Turkey witnessed its deadliest coal mining disaster in 2014, when 301 people died after a blast in the western town of Soma.Turkey witnessed its deadliest coal mining disaster in 2014, when 301 people died after a blast in the western town of Soma.