238 Killed in Mine Explosion in Turkey - Over 100 Trapped - Pope Francis Prays for Victims

A Coal mine in Soma, Turkey, caught on fire on Tuesday after a transformer blew up. Now they are trying to find survivors inside the burning tunnels. At least 238 people were killed and about 120 are trapped inside the burning mine. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave his condolences to the families of those who died and said there's "a sadness shared by the whole population of our country." "God will offer urgent remedy and care". It is believed that 787 people were inside the mine at the time of the explosion. Some miners crawled out of the burning mine.   The country is in shock from the worst mine disaster in Turkish history . Families are praying outside Turkish mine. The mine had passed safety inspections. The mine, owned by SOMA Komur isletmeleri A.S., and underwent regular inspections. Prime Minister Erdogan declared three days of national mourning.

POPE FRANCIS OFFERS PRAYERS FOR VICTIMS
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis made an appeal for prayer for the miners who lost their lives in a mining disaster in Turkey: “Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to pray for the miners who died in the mine yesterday in Soma, Turkey, and for those who are still trapped in the tunnels. May the Lord receive the deceased in His house and give comfort to their families.”

At the time of the audience, more than 200 miners were confirmed dead, with several hundred more believed to be trapped in the mines. Rescue workers pumped oxygen into the mine to try to keep those trapped by the blaze alive, as thousands of family members and co-workers gathered outside the town's hospital. Some 93 people were rescued, including several rescuers, and 85 of them were being treated for their injuries.

An explosion in the mines led to a fire which was still burning underground, hampering rescue operations and denting hopes of finding more survivors.
Text from Vatican Radio website