Turkish mine blast kills 19 workers

An explosion at a coal mine in northwest Turkey has killed 19 workers, Turkish labour minister Omer Dincer said on Friday.                                           

The explosion, probably caused by methane gas, took place in a mine close to the city of Bursa trapping the workers underground on Thursday evening.                                           

The bodies of two miners have so far been retrieved from the mine, Dincer said in comments broadcast on live television.                                             

Rescue workers were trying to reach the remaining bodies.                                           

It was not clear if there were any survivors other than four injured workers who have already been discharged from hospital.                                           

Dincer said the explosion caused the mine to cave in at a depth of around 220-250 m.                                           

Television had previously reported a death toll of six workers.