Politicians and trade unionists question president’s pledge to improve safety after blast kills at least 41
An explosion that ripped through a state-owned mine leaving 41 dead and trapping miners underground for hours has sparked public outrage in Turkey, with simmering anger at president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that “fate” was to blame.
Erdoğan rushed to the northern Black Sea coast town of Amasra on Saturday, arriving as rescue teams worked to contain a fire at least 300 metres underground that officials suggested was probably caused by the buildup of flammable gases in the mine, known as firedamp.
