* Photograph: Ferdi Akıllı / Zonguldak - AA
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An explosion has taken place in a mine in the district of Kilimli in Zonguldak.
As a result of the explosion that occurred in a privately owned mine for reasons which have still been unknown, two of the five workers, who were trapped in the mine, have been rescued.
Being evacuated from the mine, two workers have been taken to the Zonguldak Atatürk Public Hospital. It has been reported that both workers have been in critical condition.
Regarding the workers still trapped inside the mine, Governor of Zonguldak Erdoğan Bektaş has stated, "We have no hope that they are still alive."
The explosion took place at around 3 a.m. today (November 21). Since it was not possible to enter the mine after the explosion due to the resulting emission of carbon monoxide and methane gases, the Hard Coal Authority of Turkey (TTK) evacuation teams went to the scene of incident.
Zonguldak Governor Bektaş has made the following statement,
"We do not know the details. The rescue operations for our three friends are still continuing. Our friends will ventilate the mine and take the workers out. We have been informed that the (trapped) workers have been reached, they have been seen. We have no hope that they are still alive. An examination regarding the explosion is being conducted. Our priority is to rescue our three friends from there. Then, what is necessary will be done." (EKN/SD)
