Turkey police detain six after mine collapse: Report

Turkish rescue workers were on Nov 18, 2016 battling to save 13 miners trapped after the collapse of a copper mine already confirmed to have left at least three dead. PHOTO: AFP

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Turkish police detained six suspects after the collapse of a copper mine killed at least five people in the southeast, local media reported on Saturday (Nov 19).

One of the detainees was the mine manager and police were searching for another suspect, the private NTV television reported.

Earlier on Saturday, Turkish rescue workers pulled one more body from the rubble and were still searching for 11 miners believed trapped after the collapse of the mine in the Sirvan district in Siirt province in the southeast, television broadcast.

The mine is reportedly owned by a private company.

In 2014, Turkey experienced its worst-ever modern industrial disaster in which 301 miners were killed when a fire broke out at Soma coal mine in the western part of the country.

The trial is still ongoing with prosecutors seeking life imprisonment for eight mine executives.

The latest incident highlights Turkey's continued shortcomings on workplace safety, despite the adoption of new safety legislation following the Soma disaster.

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