At least 14 people have been killed in a massive explosion at a coal mine in Turkey. Another 28 people were injured. Rescue workers tried to reach dozens of people who were trapped on Friday evening.
At the time of the accident, up to 49 people were said to have been in the factory, Turkey’s health minister, Fahrettin Koca, said Friday evening. Local governor Nurtac Arslan confirmed that people were trapped in several places at a depth of 350 or 300 meters. Some have already been able to get out of the mine on their own. More than 70 rescuers are currently trying to get to the other rescuers. The darkness is causing them trouble.
The cause of the disaster in the Amsara district on the Black Sea is still unclear. The Turkish miners’ union suspects a build-up of methane, while Afad civil defense service suspects the explosion was caused by a faulty transformer.
Not an isolated case
There is also speculation that a lack of safety regulations could play a role. Television footage showed hundreds of people gathered at the pit entrance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent his interior and energy ministers to the site of the accident. The local prosecutor’s office launched an official investigation into the incident.
Serious mining accidents have repeatedly occurred in Turkey in recent years. In 2014, an explosion at a coal mine in Manisa province killed 301 people. At that time there were protests against the government.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
