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| Turkish Leader Cancels Holiday Celebrations to Observe Rescue Mission at Coal Mine | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| ISTANBUL — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey canceled Republic Day celebrations at the new presidential palace on the outskirts of Ankara on Wednesday to observe rescue operations at a coal mine in southern Anatolia, where 18 people remained trapped. | |
| Mr. Erdogan appeared determined to show that he was taking the accident at the mine seriously. He drew harsh criticism in May for his handling of a mining accident that killed more than 300 people. | Mr. Erdogan appeared determined to show that he was taking the accident at the mine seriously. He drew harsh criticism in May for his handling of a mining accident that killed more than 300 people. |
| “We decided to cancel the reception due to the unfortunate mine accident in Karaman,” Mr. Erdogan said at the new presidential residence on Wednesday. He added that he did not consider it appropriate to hold a lavish ceremony while miners remained trapped underground. | “We decided to cancel the reception due to the unfortunate mine accident in Karaman,” Mr. Erdogan said at the new presidential residence on Wednesday. He added that he did not consider it appropriate to hold a lavish ceremony while miners remained trapped underground. |
| As miners were having lunch in one of the galleries of a coal mine near the town of Ermenek on Tuesday, they became trapped by rising waters, news agencies reported. It was not immediately clear what had caused the flooding. | |
| Witnesses told local news outlets that 26 miners were able to escape the mine after the initial rush of water. Officials said they thought 18 people were still trapped. | Witnesses told local news outlets that 26 miners were able to escape the mine after the initial rush of water. Officials said they thought 18 people were still trapped. |
| Mr. Erdogan’s rapid decision to visit the mine in Ermenek contrasted with his delayed visit to Soma, the site of Turkey’s most deadly mine disaster, in May. | |
| Mr. Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time of the Soma accident, faced protests by residents in the area and the families of miners, who said he had not been attentive enough to safety in mines. A photograph that appeared to show one of his advisers kicking a protester during the Soma unrest was widely circulated in the news media. | Mr. Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time of the Soma accident, faced protests by residents in the area and the families of miners, who said he had not been attentive enough to safety in mines. A photograph that appeared to show one of his advisers kicking a protester during the Soma unrest was widely circulated in the news media. |
| The mine in Ermenek was inspected in June and sealed after safety violations were identified. It was reopened in September after the violations were addressed, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said late Tuesday, according to the television network CNN Turk. | The mine in Ermenek was inspected in June and sealed after safety violations were identified. It was reopened in September after the violations were addressed, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said late Tuesday, according to the television network CNN Turk. |
| More than 350 rescue workers, including divers, continued efforts overnight to extract miners who are trapped more than 1,000 feet below the surface, pumping water with powerful discharge pipes. | More than 350 rescue workers, including divers, continued efforts overnight to extract miners who are trapped more than 1,000 feet below the surface, pumping water with powerful discharge pipes. |
| Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was set to travel to Ermenek after Republic Day observances in Ankara on Wednesday. Mr. Erdogan was expected to arrive later in the day. | Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was set to travel to Ermenek after Republic Day observances in Ankara on Wednesday. Mr. Erdogan was expected to arrive later in the day. |
| Critics of the government say that mining safety has not improved since the Soma accident brought new attention to poor working conditions and to lax enforcement of safety rules. | Critics of the government say that mining safety has not improved since the Soma accident brought new attention to poor working conditions and to lax enforcement of safety rules. |
| “I have two sons under there,” a man who did not give his name told CNN Turk late Tuesday night as he watched rescue operations. | “I have two sons under there,” a man who did not give his name told CNN Turk late Tuesday night as he watched rescue operations. |
| “They made laws, didn’t stick to them,” he said. “They issued regulations, didn’t stick to them. There’s nothing more to say.” | “They made laws, didn’t stick to them,” he said. “They issued regulations, didn’t stick to them. There’s nothing more to say.” |