KARAMAN
Search and rescue teams found Thursday the bodies of the two of the 18 workers trapped in a flooded mine in central Turkey, the Turkish energy minister announced.
Operations for the remaining 16 workers will continue after levels of methane in the coal mine have decreased, said Taner Yildiz.
“Levels of methane gas increased slightly and rescue workers had to be removed from the scene temporarily for safety reasons,” he said.
There were 34 workers inside the mine located some 400 kilometers south of the capital, Ankara, in Karaman’s Ermenek district, when a water pipe exploded and caused the flood on October 28.
The bodies of the two miners will be removed and sent to the hospital, the Yildiz said at the scene.
DNA tests will be done, upon approval by the Attorney General, to identify the deceased miners, he said.
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