The government representative stated that in the last hours nine bodies were recovered and the rescuers continue searching to find people trapped in the mining area.

According to the authorities, the causes that caused the explosion in the deposit about 300 meters deep, located on the Black Sea coast, are still unknown.

The Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an investigation to determine if the event occurred due to negligence on the part of the operators of the site, which belongs to the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises state company.

Coal and lignite mine accidents are frequent in Turkey due to the few safety measures adopted, according to organizations that defend workers’ rights.

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