Aa Correspondent Observes İnvestigation İn Flooded Mine

An Anadolu Agency correspondent has shared his observations on the Ermenek mining accident, which occured on October 28 in the Karaman province in central Turkey.



A group of 34 miners were trapped underground on Tuesday after a water pipe malfunction caused flooding in the mine.



Efforts are underway to rescue the 18 miners who remain trapped in the Ermenek district of Karaman, around 400 kilometers south of capital Ankara. 



Anadolu Agency correspondent Muhammed Boztepe descended into the mine for an hour to investigate the rescue efforts of trapped miners. 



He was joined by Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, Minister of Labor and Social Security Faruk Celik and Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Lutfi Elvan.



"Walking is difficult due to the mud and slippery ground," Boztepe observed.



The correspondent stated that the temperature decreased and respiration became harder the deeper they descended into the mine. He also added that visibility was low.



Despite these difficulties, they reached the last location where fortification efforts were complete.



The only question that comes into mind at the moment, Boztepe said, was "how can people stay for hours every day in this tunnel, where we have just stood for one hour?"



The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Turkey said a 537-person team was onsite for the search-and-rescue mission, as well as two aircrafts, 25 ambulances, 18 rescue vehicles and three helicopters.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Karaman