After an explosion in a coal mine in the Bartin province of northern Turkey, at least 28 people have died and dozens more are still trapped underground.
At the time of the blast on Friday, around 110 people were inside the mine, with nearly half of them being more than 300 meters deep.
Fahrettin Koca, the minister of health in Turkey, stated that 11 people had been rescued and were receiving treatment.
Throughout the night, emergency personnel dug through rock in an effort to locate additional survivors.
At the facility in Amasra, which is located on the coast of the Black Sea, miners and rescuers are captured on video emerging drowsy and blackened.
At the mine, it was also possible to see the missing people’s friends and family, who were waiting impatiently for news of their loved ones.
It is believed that the explosion occurred about 300 meters down.Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu stated that 49 individuals were working in the “risky” zone underground, which was located between 300 and 350 meters (985 to 1,150 feet).
Mr. Soylu stated to reporters at the scene, “There are those whom we were unable to evacuate from that area.”
The blast’s cause is unknown at this time, but the local prosecutor’s office has started an investigation.
The energy minister of Turkey stated that there were early signs that the blast was caused by firedamp, which is methane that mixes explosively in coal mines.
He stated, “We are facing a truly regrettable situation.”
He stated that the mine had partial collapses, but that there were no ongoing fires and that ventilation was functioning properly.
On Saturday, it is anticipated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the location.
Recai Cakir, mayor of Amasra, stated that many of the survivors had sustained “serious injuries.”
One worker, who escaped on his own, stated:We have no idea what exactly transpired, but there was smoke and dust.
The mine is owned by Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises, a state-owned company.
In 2014, a blast in the western town of Soma claimed the lives of 301 people, making it the deadliest coal mining accident in Turkey’s history.