Hundreds Of Miners Trapped Following A Blast

Rescuers have begun pumping oxygen into the mine shaft in western Turkey in a desperate bid to save hundreds of miners still trapped underground.

Despite efforts to help any survivors who may be struggling to breathe, the country's energy minister Taner Yildiz said "hopes are diminishing" among rescuers.

At least 205 people have been confirmed dead following the explosion and fire at the coal mine in Soma, some 155 miles (250km) south of Istanbul.
The hundreds still trapped underground are thought to be some 1.2 miles (2km) below the surface and 2.5 miles (4km) from the mine entrance.

Many of the miners were coughing and covered in dust as they were rescued

It was previously reported that 787 workers were in the mine at the time of the blast, which is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.

However it is believed to have happened during a change of shifts, leading to confusion over the exact number of workers still inside.
According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency just 93 people were pulled out alive, a significantly smaller number than previously reported.

The father of one of the dozens of rescued miners embraces his son

Mr Yildiz said it was likely to become the deadliest mining disaster in Turkish history, with the death toll expected to rise above the 263 workers killed in a gas explosion near the Black Sea port of Zonguldak in 1992.

Speaking earlier, the minister said a fire was burning inside the mine, hindering rescue efforts.
High levels of carbon monoxide have reportedly forced rescue teams to halt the operation on a number of occasions.
The poisonous gas is thought to have been responsible for the majority of fatalities.

Worried relatives rush to the mine complex in the town of Soma

TV pictures showed rescued miners coughing and spluttering as they were pulled out alive, their faces coated with black dust.
Anxious relatives are waiting at the surface for news as bodies continue to be pulled from the mine. Each rescue was greeted with cheering and applauding from the crowd.
But according to journalist Dorian Jones, fear has already turned to anger among the relatives of many of those lost.
He told Sky News previous accidents have been reported at the mine and the safety record of operator Soma Komur Isletmeleri has been called into question.

The explosion happened in Turkey's western Manisa province

Mr Jones said one miner had told him he felt like a "lamb to the slaughter" every time he went to work.
In a statement, Soma Komur Isletmeleri described the explosion as a "tragic accident" which happened "despite maximum safety measures and inspections".
According to Turkey's ministry of labour, the pit was last inspected on March 17 and was found to be compliant with safety regulations.

The accident happened when a power distribution unit exploded about 1.2 miles (2km) beneath the surface, according to Nurettin Akcul, head of the Turkish Mineworkers' Union.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has postponed a one-day visit to Albania and is heading to the scene.
He has announced three days of mourning.



Sky News