28 killed, several stranded in Turkish coal mine blast

Istanbul: An explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey killed at least 28 people while 17 others sustained injuries, said local officials. Several others are believed to be stranded at the mine while rescuers working through the night were trying to bring dozens of others trapped to the surface. 

As per details, the explosion occurred at 6:45 pm at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. 

A total of 110 workers were at the mine at the time of the blast, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu separately said, adding that 49 were trapped in deeper parts—a higher-risk area of the facility.   

Local media reported that the blast happened some 300 meters (984 feet) below the surface while its exact cause was immediately unclear. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said a preliminary assessment indicated the explosion was likely caused by firedamp — a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. 

An investigation, however, has been launched into the incident. 

Turkey has a bleak record of mine accidents due to weak safety regulations. In 2014, a total of 301 people were killed in a major explosion at a coal mine fire in the town of Soma— district of the Aegean province of Manisa.