238 killed in coal mine accident_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

238 killed in coal mine accident

The explosion tore through the mine as workers were preparing for a shift change, officials said, which likely raised the casualty toll because there were more miners than usual inside.

The minister said the fire was still raging inside the mine 18 hours after the blast. The air around the mine swirled with smoke and soot. The deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, Yildiz said.

An injured rescue worker who emerged alive was whisked away on a stretcher to the cheers of onlookers.

Yildiz said rescue operations were hindered because the mine had not been completely cleared of gas.

Authorities said the disaster followed an explosion and fire caused by a power distribution unit.

Yildiz had said earlier that some of the workers were 420 meters deep inside the mine. News reports said the workers could not use lifts to escape because the explosion had cut off power.

Workers from nearby mines were brought in to join the rescue operation. One 30-year-old man who declined to give his name said he rushed to the scene to try to help find his brother, who was still missing early Wednesday. He said he was able to make it about 150 meters inside before gasses forced him to retreat.

"There is no hope," he said with tears in his eyes.

During the night, people cheered and applauded as some trapped workers emerged, their faces and hard hats covered in soot. Dozens of ambulances drove back and forth to carry the rising number of bodies as well as injured workers.