Turkey {coal} mine explosion: Death toll 'soars'; Deadly Turkey blast 'traps hundreds' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

An explosion at a mine in western Turkey has left 157 workers dead and 75 injured, local officials say.

Cengiz Ergun, Mayor of Manisa, cautioned that the latest death toll had not been officially confirmed.

Initial reports said 17 people had been killed in the explosion and ensuing fire, and many more were trapped.

It was estimated that 580 workers were underground at the time of the blast, though it is thought many of them managed to escape.

It is not clear exactly how many are still trapped in the coal mine in the town of Soma, in Manisa province, about 250km (105 miles) south of Istanbul.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27403061
longer article: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27400283



NB: This is a developing story; expect updates.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. UPDATE: Death toll rises

An explosion at a coal mine in western Turkey has left at least 201 workers dead and scores injured, officials say.

Energy Ministry Taner Yildiz said 787 people had been inside the mine at Soma in Manisa province when an electrical fault triggered the blast.
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Mr Yildiz confirmed the latest death toll on Turkish TV and said some 80 people had been injured.

He said that of the workers inside the mine at the time of the accident, only about 360 of them - including those killed - had been accounted for.

Mr Yildiz said that carbon monoxide poisoning had claimed many lives. Oxygen was being pumped into the mine to help those still trapped, he added.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27403061

[eppur_se_muova]

2. UPDATE: Turkey coal mine disaster: Desperate search at Soma pit (BBC)

Rescuers are hunting desperately for scores of Turkish coal miners still missing after an explosion caused a pit to collapse, killing at least 245.

Dozens escaped the pit in the western town of Soma, but officials say about 120 are still unaccounted for.

On a visit to Soma, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said every aspect of the tragedy would be investigated and "no stone would be left unturned".

But protests erupted in the town, with crowds hurling abuse at the government.

Frantic relatives have gathered at the mine, waiting for news of loved ones.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27408394

[hunter]

3. Fukushima!

Oh, wait, sorry.

I had to go there because the U.S.A. has coal mines too.