20 killed in Turkey mine explosion
Some 20 miners are reported to have been killed after an explosion at a coal mine in western Turkey.
Up to 300 other workers are believed to be trapped underground at the mine in Soma, Manisa province.
The incidents occurred about 2km (1.2 miles) below the surface, trapping workers about 4km from the exit.
Search and rescue operations are taking place. It is estimated that some 580 workers were underground at the time, but that many escaped.
Quoting health officials, local MP Muzaffer Yurttas told broadcaster NTV that 20 bodies had been retrieved and that at least another 20 workers had been taken to hospital.
“They died of choking and burns,” he said.
A senior local official, Mehmet Bahattin Atci, said thick smoke was hampering rescue efforts.
Source: BBC
