Worst Ever Mining Disaster in Turkey’s History

World Today

The death toll in Turkey’s coal mine explosion reached 274 on Wednesday. The incident is now the worst mining disaster in the country’s history. In a relentless procession that ignited wails of grief and flashes of anger, rescue workers coated in grime lumbered out of the mine again and again, struggling to carry bodies covered in blankets.

The corpses’ faces were as black as the coal they worked on daily. There were 274 of them — and the fate of up to 150 other miners remained unclear in this deadly disaster.

While emergency workers battled a toxic mix of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in deep tunnels, anger and despair engulfed the town of Soma. CCTV’s Michal Bardavid reports.

Follow Michal Bardavid on Twitter: @michalbardavid 

Worst Mining Disaster in Turkey\'s History

The death toll from coal mine explosion stands at 274. The incident is now the worst mining disaster in the country's history.CCTV's Michal Bardavid reports with details.

To discuss the tragedy unfolding in Turkey and the possible political fallout, CCTV’s Elaine Reyes sits down with Joshua Walker, a fellow at the Truman National Security Project.

Joshua Walker on Coal Mine Disaster in Turkey

CCTV's Elaine Reyes discusses the tragedy unfolding in Turkey and the possible political fallout with Joshua Walker, fellow at the Truman National Security Project.