Turkey mine explosion: At least 28 dead as rescuers try to reach dozens still trapped

A massive underground explosion at a mine in Turkey's Bartin province has killed 28 and dozens of workers are still trapped as rescue teams work all night to reach them

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Turkey: Emergency services on site after mine explosion

At least 28 workers have died following a huge explosion at an underground mine in Turkey and rescuers are trying to reach dozens of trapped workers.

Firefighters and medical teams are at the scene in the coastal province of Bartin on the Black Sea coast following the explosion believed to be caused by methane gas.

The explosion is said to have taken place 300 meters underground while 110 people were working.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca confirmed that 28 miners had died in the tragedy while 11 people were receiving hospital treatment.

Paramedics were pictured appearing to perform CPR on injured people while other workers remain trapped in the TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu public mine.

22 people died as a result of the underground explosion, according to reports in Turkey (

Picture:

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The massive underground eruption occurred at the Amasra Establishment branch of the Turkish Hard Coal Establishment around 6:15 p.m. local time.

Emergency services, including nine ambulances, as well as friends and family of people working in the mine, all rushed to the scene.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by firedamp, a term referring to methane in coal mines.

Turkish TV footage showed people being transported to ambulances, with emergency personnel rushing to the area.