Turkish mine collapse; 17 killed, 3 trapped

Istanbul, June 2: Seventeen workers were killed when a coal mine in Turkey collapsed after a methane gas explosion and three people were still trapped underground, state-run agency Anatolian news agency has said.

The agency quoted Energy Minister Hilmi Guler as saying five people were also injured in the disaster at the mine in western Turkey and 35 had escaped unharmed yesterday.

He said rescue teams were working to release the three trapped miners.

The coal mine in Dursunbey belongs to Sentas Madencilik, Anatolian said.

CNN Turk quoted the minister as saying the collapse had not been caused by negligence. In May one miner was killed in another coal mine collapse.

REUTERS