Mine Floods in Karaman, Traps 18 Workers

A subsidence has been reported in a private coal mine located nearby Pamuklu village located in the central province of Karaman. It was also noted that some workers have been trapped inside. 

Talking live on CNNTürk, Karaman governor Murat Koca said the flooding invaded 50 square-meter space in the mine gallery. 

Şahin Uyar, a mine supervisor made a statement around 3:30pm local time, informing that 18 were still trapped inside even though 8 were rescued in the gallery of 26 workers.

While the incident occurred this afternoon, rescue teams were promptly sent out and Turkey’s Transport (Lütfi Elvan) and Energy (Taner Yıldız) Ministers reportedly scheduled trips to Karaman. 

On November 22, 2003, a methane gas explosion in a mine located in Karaman killed 10 workers.

"No life chambers" 

According to Şahin Uyar, the gallery, located 350 meters underground, started to leak water around 12:15am from its chimneys. As workers were evacuated,a flooding took place. 

Uyar also added that the mine was reactivated 15 days ago after convincing workers. The mine was closed down from an appeal of mine contractors. 

While he continued that there was no life chamber in the mine, he claimed that the urgent nature of the flooding would "anyways" run out their options to do anything.

"You can't know you will have an accident on the road," he said. (BK/BM)

* Photo credit: AA / Arşiv

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