Three killed in methane gas explosion at Turkish coal mine

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 19:20 · Archive

Three miners died and five were injured in a methane gas explosion at a privately owned coal mine in Zonguldak, northwestern Turkey.

Three miners have been killed and five injured in a methane gas explosion at a privately owned coal mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak, northwestern Turkey. The blast occurred at around 10am local time at a mine owned by Demir Madencilik. Eight people were working in the tunnel when the explosion happened; seven were rescued immediately and taken to hospital.

Two of the injured miners suffered serious burns. One was transferred to Ankara for treatment, with preparations underway to move the second miner to specialist care. Some relatives of the miners reportedly collapsed outside the hospital where the injured were being treated.

Zonguldak governor Osman Hacibektasoglu confirmed the cause as a build-up of methane gas, known as 'firedamp' in mining. The Interior Minister and Justice Minister announced that rescue operations and a formal investigation had been launched. Mine accidents are not uncommon in Turkey; earlier in the month, five people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Soma, Manisa in western Turkey.

How it is being reported

• Three dead and five injured after gas explosion at coal mine in TurkeyAt least three people have died and five more are injured following a methane gas explosion at a privately-owned coal mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak in TurkeyThe Mirror · 23 Oct, 19:06
• Explosion at coal mine in Turkey kills two, leaves one trappedTwo miners were killed and five injured, two of them seriously, in an explosion at a privately owned mine in northern Turkey. One person is still trapped inside the mine.Euronews · 23 Oct, 12:25

In this story: Turkey · Zonguldak · Kilimli · Osman Hacibektasoglu · Demir Madencilik · Soma

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem