Turkey: Oxygen Pumped To Trapped Miners

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 14 Mei 2014 | 18.46

Rescuers are pumping oxygen into a coal mine in western Turkey as they battle to save hundreds of miners trapped underground following a blast which left at least 232 dead.

Despite efforts to help any survivors who may be struggling to breathe, the country's energy minister Taner Yildiz said "hopes are diminishing" among rescuers. 

The hundreds still trapped underground are thought to be some 1.2 miles (2km) below the surface and 2.5 miles (4km) from the mine entrance in Soma, some 155 miles (250km) south of Istanbul.

Protests have broken out in Turkey's capital Ankara amid reports that poor safety standards could have contributed to the disaster, which is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Workers wait outside a mine in Soma, Turkey, following an underground explosion Many of the miners were coughing and covered in dust as they were rescued

Police have fired tear gas and water cannon an estimated 800 people shouting anti-government slogans.

It was previously reported that 787 workers were in the mine at the time of the blast. 

However it is believed to have happened during a change of shifts, leading to confusion over the exact number of workers still inside.

A man kisses his son after he was rescued from a mine in Soma, western Turkey The father of one of the dozens of rescued miners embraces his son

According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency just 93 people were pulled out alive, a significantly smaller number than previously reported.

It looks set to become the deadliest mining disaster in Turkish history, with the death toll expected to rise above the 263 workers killed in a gas explosion near the Black Sea port of Zonguldak in 1992.

Speaking earlier, Mr Yildiz said a fire was burning inside the mine, hindering rescue efforts.

High levels of carbon monoxide have reportedly forced rescue teams to halt the operation on a number of occasions.

TURKEY-MINING-ACCIDENT Worried relatives rush to the mine complex in the town of Soma

The poisonous gas is thought to have been responsible for the majority of fatalities. 

TV pictures showed rescued miners coughing and spluttering as they were pulled out alive, their faces coated with black dust.

Anxious relatives are waiting at the surface for news as bodies continue to be pulled from the mine. Each rescue was greeted with cheering and applauding from the crowd.

But according to journalist Dorian Jones, fear has already turned to anger among the relatives of many of those lost.

The incident took place in the town of Soma, in the province of Manisa The explosion happened in Turkey's western Manisa province

He told Sky News previous accidents have been reported at the mine and the safety record of operator Soma Komur Isletmeleri has been called into question.

Mr Jones said one miner had told him he felt like a "lamb to the slaughter" every time he went to work.

In a statement, Soma Komur Isletmeleri described the explosion as a "tragic accident" which happened "despite maximum safety measures and inspections".

According to Turkey's ministry of labour, the pit was last inspected on March 17 and was found to be compliant with safety regulations.

The accident happened when a power distribution unit exploded about 1.2 miles (2km) beneath the surface, according to Nurettin Akcul, head of the Turkish Mineworkers' Union.

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has postponed a one-day visit to Albania and has arrived at the scene.

He has announced three days of mourning.


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