An explosion in a coalmine near the city of Bursa in north-west Turkey has claimed the lives of 19 miners. Six miners were initially reported dead but 13 men reported missing were later found dead by rescue workers.

The explosion, which occurred at a depth of around 300 metres, is thought to have been caused by methane gas. A high concentration of gas in the mine hampered the rescue efforts. The blast caused fire to break out and part of the mine to collapse.