Miner helps rescue friends at blast site in Turkiye

An explosion inside a coal mine in northern part of Turkiye killed at least 28 people, local officials announced, while rescuers working through the night were trying to bring dozens of others trapped to the surface.

The explosion occurred 6:45 p.m. at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. There were 110 miners working in the shaft when the explosion occurred Friday evening.

Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said a preliminary assessment indicated the explosion was likely caused by firedamp — a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines.