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Turkish Mine Denies Negligence

Around 18 miners still missing.

The Turkish company whose mine was the site of an underground fire that is expected to leave 300 dead says it had good safety practices. “There is no negligence … We would not want harm to come to a single fingernail of our workers,” the mine’s engineer claimed. The mine’s general manager added: “It was caused by an undetermined spark. We believe that the fire grew because there was an entry of clean air there.” The fire led to the worst disaster in the history of mines in Turkey, and has prompted a fresh round of anger directed towards Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Meanwhile, his energy minister, Taner Yildiz, said Friday that if negligence in the mine is found, there will be punishment. “We won’t take any notice of their tears,” he said.