UPDATE 3 - 3 dead in Turkey copper mine collapse

UPDATES WITH COMPANY STATEMENT

By Zekeriya Gunes, Recep Celik and Dilara Zengin

SIIRT, Turkey (AA) - Three miners were killed when a landslide caused a collapse at a copper mine in southeast Turkey, the provincial governor’s office said Friday.

Thirteen workers are still thought to be trapped underground after heavy rainfall led to the disaster at the Madenkoy copper mine in Sirvan, Siirt province. Two bodies have been recovered and the third has been located.

Rescue teams are still working to reach the trapped miners. “More search and rescue teams have been asked to join the efforts from nearby cities,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

The private operator, Park Elektrik, said in a statement that there was a risk of further landslides and production had been “interrupted”.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has been informed about the accident and is receiving updates.

A crisis management center has been established by the governor’s office and an investigation has been launched.

According to Park Elektrik’s website, the company, which is a member of the Ciner Group, has operated the mine since 2006. An estimated 41.5 million tonnes of copper ore are at the site.