The key facts

  • Methane explosion at a private mine in Zonguldak on October 23 at around 10 a.m.
  • Zamon.uz: three dead, five hospitalized; euronews: two dead, one miner underground
  • Two rescued miners in serious condition, one being transferred to Ankara; an investigation has been launched

Explosion at the Zonguldak Mine

On October 23, a methane explosion occurred at a private coal mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak province in northwestern Turkey. According to TRT Haber, cited by Zamon.uz, the incident took place on the mine's territory near the village of Gelik. The explosion occurred at around 10 a.m.; after an emergency call, rescuers, firefighters, medics, and representatives of Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) were dispatched to the site.

Death Toll: Conflicting Reports

The outlets' reports differ. According to Zamon.uz, it was initially reported that two miners had been killed, five more were hospitalized with injuries, and one miner remained underground; during rescue operations his body was found, and the death toll rose to three. Euronews, citing local media, reported that at least two people were killed, five were injured, two of them in serious condition, and one miner remained trapped underground.

Governor's Testimony

The Governor of Zonguldak, Osman Hacibektasoglu, stated, according to euronews: 'There were eight people in the tunnel, seven were rescued. Unfortunately, two of our miners died after being taken to the hospital.' According to him, two of the rescued suffered burns and are in serious condition; one of the injured, in critical condition, has been transferred to Ankara, and the transfer of a second is being prepared. 'One miner is still inside the mine. We have established contact with him and are trying to extract him,' the governor added.

Cause and Investigation

According to Turkey's Ministry of Justice, cited by Zamon.uz, the explosion resulted from an accumulation of methane gas. Local authorities, according to euronews, named the cause as 'firedamp' — a flammable gas. According to the local newspaper Pusula, the explosion occurred at a private mine owned by the company Demir Madencilik. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause. Turkey's Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci stated that emergency services are carrying out the necessary work at the site and the situation is under control. There is no precise information yet about other circumstances of the incident or the condition of the injured.

Context of Mining Accidents

Mining accidents in Turkey are not uncommon: earlier this month, five people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Soma (Manisa province in the west of the country). According to the independent monitoring group ISIG (Worker Health and Work Safety Assembly), from 2013 to 2025, 1,267 miners died in workplace accidents — mostly due to collapses and asphyxiation.