An explosion occurred in the mine just before sunset on Friday. The reason for this could have been the ignition of methane.

"We are presented with a really sad picture," said Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu when he visited the scene of the accident with Energy Minister Fatih Donmez. He had previously stated that there were still 49 miners trapped in two tunnels at a depth of 300 meters and 350 meters. At the moment of the explosion, 110 people were in the mine.

"Almost half of the workers could be evacuated," Amasra Mayor Recai Cakir told Turkish broadcaster NTV. "Most of them are fine, but there are also seriously injured." Energy Minister Dönmez said that according to initial findings, a firedamp explosion had occurred in the mine.

Television images showed hundreds of people gathered near the pit entrance, many of them crying. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a visit to the scene of the accident on Saturday.

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