CNN
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An explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey has left at least 40 people dead and 11 others hospitalized, state media reported on Saturday.
The explosion occurred in the Black Sea town of Amasra in the province of Bartin on Friday, trapping dozens of people beneath the rubble of the blast.
State news agency Anadolu said 11 injured workers were being treated in hospital, citing a statement from Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.
Turkish Energy and Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said the fire that broke out after the explosion was largely under control, Anadolu reported.
Rescuers were working through the night as the death toll rose, with video footage from the scene showing the miners blackened and blurred.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said there were 110 people in the mine at the time of the explosion, who had traveled to Amasra to coordinate search and rescue operations.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters: “We are trying our best to make sure that the injured recover as soon as possible.
“I wish God’s mercy on each of them.”
Turkey sees deadliest coal mining disaster ever in 2014when 301 people died after an explosion in the western town of Soma.
The disaster sparked public anger and discontent over the government’s response to the tragedy.
