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Turkish mine disaster: Unions hold protest strike Turkish mine disaster: Unions hold protest strike
(35 minutes later)
Trade unions in Turkey are holding a one-day strike in protest at the country's worst ever mine disaster, which has claimed at least 282 lives.Trade unions in Turkey are holding a one-day strike in protest at the country's worst ever mine disaster, which has claimed at least 282 lives.
Union officials said the recent privatisation of the mining sector had made working conditions more dangerous.Union officials said the recent privatisation of the mining sector had made working conditions more dangerous.
Meanwhile, President Abdullah Gul is visiting the scene of the disaster, as Turkey begins three days of mourning.Meanwhile, President Abdullah Gul is visiting the scene of the disaster, as Turkey begins three days of mourning.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was booed and jostled by angry protesters during his visit to Soma on Wednesday.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was booed and jostled by angry protesters during his visit to Soma on Wednesday.
Anger also erupted against the government in several cities around the country.Anger also erupted against the government in several cities around the country.
An explosion caused the pit to collapse on Tuesday, while 787 miners were underground. Small protests
Government officials said 363 miners were rescued in the hours after the explosion, but no survivors have been brought out since dawn on Wednesday. Some 3,000 people have begun gathering in the Turkish capital, Ankara, as part of the one-day strike, the BBC's Turkish Service reports.
Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said eight more bodies had been recovered overnight into Thursday, taking the toll from 274 to 282. Around 150 miners remain missing. Similar protests are due to be held in 13 other cities around the country.
Rescue operations had to be halted for several hours as high gas concentrations underground needed to be cleared, and Mr Yildiz said a fire in the mine was still hampering recovery efforts. Several unions are reportedly taking part in the strike, and members have been encouraged to wear black and march on the labour ministry.
The head of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey told journalists that several major groups of unions had agreed to the strike. "Those who pursue privatisation... policies, who threaten workers' lives to reduce cost... are the culprits of the Soma massacre and they must be held accountable," said a statement by the Public Workers Unions Confederation.
Arzu Cerkezoglu has called on citizens to wear black and march on the Ministry of Labour. Rescue efforts continue at the mine in Soma but there is little hope of finding anyone else alive.
"Those who pursue privatisation... policies, who threaten workers' lives to reduce cost... are the culprits of the Soma massacre and they must be held accountable," said a statement by another group, the Public Workers Unions Confederation. Eight bodies were recovered overnight, bringing the death toll to 282. Around 150 miners remain missing.
The Soma mine was privatised in 2005. President Gul was met by protests in Soma, where he visited injured miners in hospital and toured the scene of the disaster.
The government has been accused of rejecting a recent proposal for a parliamentary inquiry into mine accidents in the area, although officials say the Soma mine was subject to regular inspections, most recently in March. But it was not the same level of tension that greeted the prime minister on Wednesday, the BBC's Selin Girit reports from Soma.
There were angry protests in Soma during Prime Minister Erdogan's visit. People booed him and kicked his car, and called for his resignation after he gave a news conference on the disaster. Scuffles broke out during Prime Minister Erdogan's visit. People booed him and kicked his car, calling for his resignation. He was forced to seek refuge in a shop at one stage. The town's ruling AK party offices were also attacked.
Amid scuffles, he was pictured seeking refuge in a shop. The town's ruling AK party offices were also attacked.
However, it was Mr Erdogan's aide, Yusuf Yerkel, who made headlines on Thursday when photos emerged of him appearing to kick a protester in Soma.However, it was Mr Erdogan's aide, Yusuf Yerkel, who made headlines on Thursday when photos emerged of him appearing to kick a protester in Soma.
In the capital, Ankara, on Wednesday, police fired tear gas and water cannon at about 800 protesters who tried to march on the energy ministry. Water cannon was also used in Istanbul to disperse protesters in the main shopping street Istiklal.In the capital, Ankara, on Wednesday, police fired tear gas and water cannon at about 800 protesters who tried to march on the energy ministry. Water cannon was also used in Istanbul to disperse protesters in the main shopping street Istiklal.
Mr Erdogan has faced criticism on social media for being insensitive, after he cited numerous mining accidents throughout the world, including in Britain in the 19th Century, in defending the Turkish government's record. Mr Erdogan has been criticised for being insensitive in his reaction to the disaster, after he cited numerous mining accidents throughout the world, including in Britain in the 19th Century, in defending the Turkish government's record.
He said every effort would be made to find the missing miners, and promised a full investigation.He said every effort would be made to find the missing miners, and promised a full investigation.
The BBC's James Reynolds in Soma says Mr Erdogan will see this tragedy as a test of his reputation, and he will be aware that the previous government lost an election after being seen to have mishandled the 1999 earthquake. Power cut
Electrical fault The Soma mine was privatised in 2005.
An electrical fault triggered the blast soon after midday on Tuesday, and the resulting power cut made the mine cages unusable. The government has been accused of rejecting a recent proposal for a parliamentary inquiry into mine accidents in the area, although officials say the Soma mine was subject to regular inspections, most recently in March.
The miners were reportedly 2km (1.2 miles) below the surface and 4km from the mine entrance. Many of them died of carbon monoxide poisoning. An electrical fault triggered the blast soon after midday on Tuesday, while 787 miners were underground, some 2km (1.2 miles) below the surface and 4km from the mine entrance.
The resulting power cut made the mine cages unusable. Many of them died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Government officials said 363 miners were rescued in the hours after the explosion, but no survivors have been brought out since dawn on Wednesday.
Turkey's worst mining disaster until now was in 1992, when 263 miners were killed near Zonguldak, on the Black Sea.Turkey's worst mining disaster until now was in 1992, when 263 miners were killed near Zonguldak, on the Black Sea.
Coal mining is a major industry in the Soma area, helping to supply a nearby lignite-fired thermal power plant, but safety has long been a concern. Nearly 40% of Turkey's electricity production depends on coal.Coal mining is a major industry in the Soma area, helping to supply a nearby lignite-fired thermal power plant, but safety has long been a concern. Nearly 40% of Turkey's electricity production depends on coal.
Are you in Soma? How have you been affected by the explosion? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Turkey'.Are you in Soma? How have you been affected by the explosion? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Turkey'.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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