Trapped miner in coal mine in Turkey confirmed dead, bringing death toll to three

An explosion at a coal mine in northwestern Turkey killed at least two people and injured five others, two of whom are in serious condition. One other miner remains trapped, local media reported on Friday.

The explosion at the mine in the town of Gelik was caused a "firedamp," or flammable gas, local authorities said.

"Eight people were in the tunnel, seven were rescued. Unfortunately, two of our miners died after being taken to hospital," said Zonguldak governor Osman Hacibektasoglu.

Two of the rescued miners suffered burns and were in serious condition. One of the critically injured miners had been transferred to Ankara and preparations are under way to transfer the second miner.

"One of the miners is still inside the mine. We have made contact with him and are trying to get him out," the governor added.

The blast occurred at around 10 in the morning. After an emergency call, teams from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), as well as medical and fire crews, were dispatched to the site.

According to local newspaper Pusula, the explosion took place at a private mine owned by Demir Madencilik. An investigation has been opened to determine the exact cause of the blast.

Mine accidents are not uncommon in Turkey. Earlier this month, five people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Soma, Manisa in western Turkey.

The independent monitoring group, Worker Health and Work Safety Assembly, or ISIG, reported that 1,267 miners were killed in workplace accidents between 2013 and 2025, mostly from incidents of cave-ins and suffocation.