Families Mourn, Unions Strike, Citizens Protest in Wake of Turkish Mine Disaster

The worst mining disaster in Turkey’s history has sparked anti-government protests, a 24-hour strike and calls for the prime minister to resign.

Officials are blaming the disaster – which has killed at least 282 miners – on a power-transformer explosion that triggered a fire deep inside the mine. Many of the miners reportedly died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to a BBC report, as many as 150 miners remained missing as of Thursday morning.

Story Recap

'A Community Losing Hope'

Mine-Safety Protests

Government Oversight Criticized