Turkey mine collapse traps over a dozen workers

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Nineteen miners were trapped in a coal mine on Tuesday (October 28) in southern Turkey, after a buildup of water caused it to collapse.

Rescue teams and medics were sent to the mine in the town of Ermenek in the Karaman province, about 110 km (70 miles) north of Turkey's Mediterranean coastline.

The governor of Murat Koca said 25 workers were saved while 19 workers still remained trapped, according to initial reports.

Local media reported that Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and Transport Minister Lutfi Elvan were heading to the site, where the flood was said to occur shortly after midday at about 300 meters below ground.

Turkey is no stranger to mining disasters, bearing one of the world's worst industrial accident records. Its worst ever mining disaster took place less than six months ago in the western town of Soma, where 301 workers were killed.