19 killed in mine fire in northern Turkey

The fire broke out in a mountain tunnel in Kastamonu province,some 300 km north of Ankara, and trapped some 30 people working inside, Anatolia reported earlier in the same day.The incident took place in Kure town when rubbers on the shelves started to burn in the tunnel, Kastamonu Governor Mustafa Kara was quoted as saying.

The entrance of the mine collapsed due to the fire and there wasa compression of gas in the mine at the moment, he added.Earlier reports said nine injured workers had been rescued and were rushed to hospitals for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Kure Subgovernor Alper Tanrisever said the stranded workers could be reached by phone but not physically."We can reach the trapped workers by phone. However, we can notreach them physically because they are 150 meters under theground," said Tanrisever. Enditem