Three dead and five injured after gas explosion at coal mine in Turkey

Three dead and five injured after gas explosion at coal mine in Turkey At least three people have died and five more are injured following a methane gas explosion at a privately-owned coal mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak in Turkey An explosion in a Turkish coal mine has left three people dead and five injured. The blast, caused by a build-up of methane gas, happened at a privately-owned mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak at around 10am local time. Paramedics and fire crews were sent to the scene, where two people pulled from the mine were initially confirmed dead and five injured workers were taken to hospital. The death toll has since climbed to three, according to local news reports. Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu visited the scene and told reporters the explosion had been caused by methane gas. Some relatives of the miners reportedly collapsed in front of the hospital where their loved ones were being treated, TrtHaber reports. Rescue teams were dispatched to the area immediately after the incident and are continuing their work, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said in a statement. He added that necessary checks were being carried out at the mine and officials were closely monitoring the situation. “I pray to Almighty God for mercy upon our deceased miner brothers, for patience and condolences to their grieving families and loved ones, and for a speedy recovery for the injured,” he said. “May God never again allow our noble nation to experience such pain.” Meanwhile, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that an investigation has been launched. He said: "Regarding the explosion that occurred as a result of methane gas accumulation in a mining operation in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak, the Zonguldak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an immediate investigation.