In pictures: Turkey coal mine explosion
Over 200 dead and hundreds more trapped underground after coal mine explosion
Hundreds of miners were rescued after the explosion, but many remain missing (AFP)
Published date: 12 February 2015 11:00 GMT
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Last update: 9 years 8 months ago
A coal mine explosion in the town of Soma, in west Turkey's Manisa province, has killed 205 miners and trapped hundreds more underground.
Energy Minister Taner Yildizsaid 363 miners out of 787 who work at the privately-owned mine had been pulled out alive in the initial stages of a rescue on Tuesday, while Turkish media said early Wednesday another six had been rescued. Of those rescued alive, 80 were injured, four of them in critical condition, Yildiz said.
The explosion took place during a shift changeover, and there are concerns that the death toll may rise as fires and the risk of toxic carbon monoxide hamper rescue efforts.
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