Turkish mine operator says 284 dead

Rescuers walk towards a coal mine after a mine explosion in Soma, a district in Turkey's western province of Manisa May 16, 2014. The operator of a Turkish mine in which 284 people died this week and 18 remain trapped said on Friday the exact cause of a fire was still unclear but that a build-up of heat had caused a partial collapse in the plant.

Rescuers walk towards a coal mine after a mine explosion in Soma, a district in Turkey's western province of Manisa May 16, 2014. The operator of a Turkish mine in which 284 people died this week and 18 remain trapped said on Friday the exact cause of a fire was still unclear but that a build-up of heat had caused a partial collapse in the plant.

Published May 16, 2014

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Soma, Turkey - Turkish mine operator Soma Holding said on Friday 284 people were confirmed dead and 18 others were thought still to be trapped underground after a fire in its mine in the western town of Soma.

The company said 363 people were evacuated from the mine after fire broke out on Tuesday and a further 122 miners were hospitalised. It said there were 787 miners working at the time. - Reuters

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