2 Dead Worker Bodies Found in Ermenek Mine

Search efforts for the 18 (presumably dead) miners trapped inside a mine located in the central district of Ermenek yielded with the finding of 2 dead worker bodies last night. Around 00:30am local time last night, the bodies were recovered from the section of the mine where workers had their suppers. 

The bodies were transferred to Ermenek Public Hospital for further examination. 

Energy Minister Taner Yıldız broke the news with a statement last night. He added that the bodies would be processed to DNA tests if prosecutors allowed so. 

Following Yıldız’s statement, ambulances arrived to the scene. Those whose beloved ones were trapped inside the mine reportedly rushed to the hospital. 

 Mehmet Çolak, father of trapped worker Hüseyin Çolak, gave his DNA sample for tests. 

The bodies were recovered 146 meters underground. It was reported that the galleries were still filled with thousands of meter-cubes of water and search teams continued their efforts with extreme caution. (BK/BM)

Photo credit: Abdullah Doğan / AA

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.