A landslide in Turkey has trapped 9 gold mine workers
Mehmet Yalciner/Anadolu via Getty Images
ISTANBUL — Nine mine workers were trapped underground after a landslide at a gold mine in Turkey’s eastern Anatolia region, according to Turkish authorities.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Tuesday the government believes the workers were trapped when the Copler mine in the mountainous Erzincan province collapsed at 2:28 p.m. local time.
He said 400 personnel from the national disaster relief agency were on the scene working to reach the workers under the rubble.
The Copler mine’s operator, Anagold Mining, issued a statement saying the health and safety of its employees and contractors are the top priority, according to The Associated Press.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said state prosecutors are investigating the incident.