This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/world/europe/deadly-fire-roars-through-coal-mine-in-turkey.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Deadly Fire Roars Through Coal Mine in Turkey Deadly Fire Roars Through Coal Mine in Turkey
(35 minutes later)
ISTANBUL — An explosion on Tuesday in a coal mine in western Turkey killed at least 151 miners and left more than 200 others trapped underground, Turkey’s energy minister said early Wednesday. ISTANBUL — An explosion on Tuesday in a coal mine in western Turkey killed more than 160 miners and left at least 200 others trapped underground, Turkey’s energy minister said early Wednesday.
The official, Taner Yildiz, said many, and perhaps most, of the miners had died of smoke inhalation. “We’re dealing with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide poisoning,” Mr. Yildiz said on television. Rescue efforts were continuing but “time is against us,” he added.The official, Taner Yildiz, said many, and perhaps most, of the miners had died of smoke inhalation. “We’re dealing with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide poisoning,” Mr. Yildiz said on television. Rescue efforts were continuing but “time is against us,” he added.
The explosion set off a fire that blocked exits from the mine, Cenguz Ergun, the mayor of the town of Manisa, said in a telephone interview with CNN Turk news television. The accident took place in Soma Township, a part of Manisa, which has some of the world’s largest coal reserves. The explosion set off a fire that blocked exits from the mine, Cengiz Ergun, the mayor of the town of Manisa, said in a telephone interview with CNN Turk news television. The area has some of the world’s largest coal reserves.
It took place as workers were changing shifts in midafternoon, which made it more difficult for officials to determine how many miners were trapped inside the mine. As many as 400 people could be trapped as much as 2,000 feet below the surface, several local officials said. It took place as workers were changing shifts in midafternoon, which made it more difficult for officials to determine how many miners were trapped. As many as 250 could still be trapped as far as 2,000 feet below the surface, several local officials said.
A total of 787 miners were registered at site, in two shifts, and Mr. Yildiz said 363 of them had been rescued. A total of 787 miners were registered at the site, in two shifts, and Mr. Yildiz said 363 of them had been rescued.
The fire broke out at 3:10 p.m. about 500 feet underground, Mr. Yildiz said. Sixty rescue teams, with more than 400 members, worked through the night and into the early morning. At least 76 miners were located and removed successfully from the mine, Mr. Ergun said. The fire broke out at 3:10 p.m. about 500 feet underground, Mr. Yildiz said. Sixty rescue teams, with more than 400 members, worked through the night and into the early morning.
At least 80 miners were injured, Mr. Ergun said.
“It is very saddening,” he said.“It is very saddening,” he said.
Television news broadcasts showed people clapping and greeting men in white hard hats, who looked exhausted as they were being escorted to ambulances, some on stretchers. Large crowds of families and friends clustered around the Manisa State Hospital, where the injured miners were taken. Television news broadcasts showed people clapping and greeting men in white hard hats, who looked exhausted as they were escorted to ambulances, some on stretchers. Large crowds of families and friends clustered around Manisa State Hospital, where the injured miners were taken.
Footage from underground security cameras that were broadcast on television showed rescuers locating miners and leading them to safety. Footage from underground security cameras that was broadcast on television showed rescuers locating miners and leading them to safety.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised statement that rescue teams organized both by the country’s disaster and emergency management agency and the coal mine itself were working hard to save the rest of the trapped miners. “God willing, we hope to receive more accurate information and news to cool our hearts,” he said. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a televised statement that rescue teams organized both by the country’s disaster and emergency management agency and the coal mine itself were working to save the rest of the trapped miners. “God willing, we hope to receive more accurate information and news to cool our hearts,” he said.
The mine’s air circulation system was reversed to deliver fresh air to underground areas away from fire. Early Wednesday morning there were conflicting reports about whether the fire had been brought under control. Early Wednesday morning there were conflicting reports about whether the fire had been brought under control.
“Rescue teams are highly experienced and know what they are doing,” Mr. Yildiz said. “Primarily, it was important to deliver fresh air to underground areas, and, thank God, the air circulation system has been reversed to transfer fresh air to places where there is no fire.”“Rescue teams are highly experienced and know what they are doing,” Mr. Yildiz said. “Primarily, it was important to deliver fresh air to underground areas, and, thank God, the air circulation system has been reversed to transfer fresh air to places where there is no fire.”
Although many people questioned safety conditions at the coal mine, the Labor Ministry issued a written statement late Tuesday that said the complex had been regularly inspected and was in compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.Although many people questioned safety conditions at the coal mine, the Labor Ministry issued a written statement late Tuesday that said the complex had been regularly inspected and was in compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
Relatives of the miners who were interviewed on television demanded regular official updates on the situation at the mine. Many relatives had tried to reach the mine by car from the center of Manisa, but they ended up stuck in a traffic jam that backed up for miles, the semiofficial Anadolu News Agency reported.Relatives of the miners who were interviewed on television demanded regular official updates on the situation at the mine. Many relatives had tried to reach the mine by car from the center of Manisa, but they ended up stuck in a traffic jam that backed up for miles, the semiofficial Anadolu News Agency reported.
At midnight on Tuesday, electricity at the mine had not been restored and the elevators were not working, both of which impeded rescue efforts, several news outlets reported.At midnight on Tuesday, electricity at the mine had not been restored and the elevators were not working, both of which impeded rescue efforts, several news outlets reported.
In 1992, an explosion in the Kozlu coal mine in Zonguldak, a town on the Black Sea coast, killed 263 people. It is often cited as Turkey’s worst coal mine disaster.In 1992, an explosion in the Kozlu coal mine in Zonguldak, a town on the Black Sea coast, killed 263 people. It is often cited as Turkey’s worst coal mine disaster.
“This is one of the hardest duties as an energy minister,” Mr. Yildiz said as he reported the mounting death toll at the mine near Manisa early on Wednesday. “I say this as I remain concerned that the numbers might rise.”