5 Dead, Up To 300 Trapped In Turkish Coal Mine

[Purveyor]

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- An explosion and fire at a coal mine in western Turkey killed at least five people Tuesday and trapped hundreds of workers underground, Turkish officials said. At least 25 people were reported alive after being rescued.

A power distribution unit at a mine in the town of Soma exploded Tuesday afternoon, Soma administrator Mehmet Bahattin Atci told reporters. The town is 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Istanbul.

Atci said between 200 to 300 workers were trapped inside the mine.

Cengiz Ergun, the mayor for Manisa province, said the death toll stood at five and that at least 25 people were evacuated alive.

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