Turkey: Oxygen Pumped To Trapped Miners

Rescuers are pumping oxygen into a coal mine in western Turkey as they battle to save more than 100 miners trapped underground following a blast which left at least 238 dead.

Hundreds of frantic relatives have crowded around the surface of the mine, in Soma, some 155 miles (250km) south of Istanbul, anxiously waiting for news, more than 24 hours after the disaster.

Relatives wailed as victims were pulled one by one from the mine on stretchers. Blankets were pulled away from the faces of the dead to give the jostling crowd a chance to identify their loved ones.

Several people had to be restrained as they desperately tried to climb into ambulances with the bodies.

Riot police clash with protesters in Ankara in the wake of the disaster

There are reports that one of the victims was just 15 years old. 

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has visited the scene, said the latest figures suggest 120 miners are still trapped. 

Those still underground are thought to be some 1.2 miles (2km) below the surface and 2.5 miles (4km) from the mine entrance.

Despite efforts to help any survivors who may be struggling to breathe, the country's energy minister Taner Yildiz said "hopes are diminishing" among rescuers. 

Miners have been searching for their co-workers for over 24 hours

The last miner to be rescued alive emerged from the mine in the early hours of the morning.

A fire was said to have been burning inside the mine long into the day and high levels of carbon monoxide have forced rescue teams to halt the operation on a number of occasions.

The poisonous gas is considered responsible for the majority of fatalities.

TV pictures earlier showed survivors coughing and spluttering as they were pulled out alive, their faces coated with black dust.

The father of one of the dozens of rescued miners embraces his son

The disaster struck around 3pm local time on Tuesday during a change of shifts, meaning more than the usual number of workers were underground.

Turkey's energy minister previously said 787 workers were in the mine at the time of the blast, although there is now a degree of uncertainty about that figure.

According to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency just 93 people were pulled out alive, a significantly smaller number than previously reported.

Authorities say the disaster was caused by an electrical fault which triggered an explosion and a fire.

Protesters in Ankara and Istanbul blame the government for the disaster

For many who have lost loved ones fear has now turned into anger as reports suggest poor safety standards could have contributed to the disaster.

Dozens have taken to the streets of Istanbul to protest the deaths. In Ankara police fired tear gas and water cannon at demonstrators shouting anti-government slogans.

According to Turkey's main opposition party Mr Erdogan's government voted down a proposal to launch an inquiry into a number of previous accidents at mines around Soma just two weeks ago.

Foreign Secretary William Hague is due to meet his Turkish counterpart in London tomorrow, and says he will discuss whether to send British aid to Turkey.

Prime Minister Erdogan has announced three days of mourning

 "I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the mining disaster in Soma, Turkey," he said.

"My thoughts and sympathies are with all those who are missing, their families, and also the rescue workers working tirelessly to search for survivors of this tragedy."

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US is also ready to offer assistance to Turkey.

"On behalf of the American people, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and our best wishes for the safe exit of the remaining miners," he said.

Soma, in Turkey's western Manisa province, is known for its mining industry

"Turkey is a close and long-standing friend and ally of the United States. We are ready to assist the Turkish government if necessary. And we will continue to stand together in this time of tragedy."

Journalist Dorian Jones told Sky News one Soma miner had told him he felt like a "lamb to the slaughter" every time he went to work.

In a statement, mine operator Soma Komur Isletmeleri described the explosion as a "tragic accident" which happened "despite maximum safety measures and inspections".

According to Turkey's ministry of labour, the pit was last inspected on March 17 and was found to be compliant with safety regulations.

Turkey's mines have one of the worst safety records in the developed world. 

The country's worst mining disaster was in 1992, when a gas explosion killed 263 workers near the Black Sea port of Zonguldak.

Turkey has declared three days of national mourning.

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