32 works trapped in Turkish coal mine explosion

The blast took place at the Karadon mine near the Black Sea port of Zonguldak. There was no immediate word on its cause. It was the third mine accident in Turkey in the past six months.

Gov. Erdal Ata of Zonguldak province said 32 workers were 1,770 feet (540 meters) below ground and there had been no contact with them since the blast.

"We are trying to reach them," Labor Minister Omer Dincer said.

Engineer Husnu Unal said eight other workers who had been underground were rescued. Some of them suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to local hospitals, authorities said.

Anxious relatives of the workers waited for news alongside dozens of ambulances at the mine entrance, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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