157 Mine Workers Confirmed Dead In Recent Mine Explosion In Turkey

An explosion at a coal 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.

The blast at the mine in Soma, around 120km (75 miles) northeast of the Aegean coastal city of Izmir, Turkey, has killed up to 157 miners, injured 75 and left hundreds trapped underground 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.

Relatives have been waiting patiently to see if there loved ones are rescued following the explosion and subsequent fire at the coal mine, which is understood to have been triggered by an electrical faultIt is not clear exactly how many are still trapped in the mine in the town of Soma, in Manisa province, about 250km (150 miles) south of Istanbul.

Large crowds of worried family members have gathered near the privately-owned mine, many in tears.

Family members of the miners trapped underground have been waiting at the top of the coal mine in Soma, Manisa, Turkey, amid the ongoing rescue operationEnergy Ministry Taner Yildiz told Turkish TV that carbon monoxide poisoning could have claimed lives.