Turkey on Saturday declared rescue operations over following this week’s devastating coalmine blast after retrieving the bodies of two last trapped miners, bringing the final death toll to 301.
“The rescue operation was carried out to completion. There are no miners left underground. All of them have been identified after DNA tests,” Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told reporters in the western town of Soma, site of the country’s worst ever industrial disaster.
“Rescuers scoured all corners of the mine for a last time to make sure everyone had been located, but they have not come across any more bodies. The rescue workers have battled unexpected fires since Tuesday’s initial fire and explosion, Yildiz said, including one that broke out earlier on Saturday, hampering efforts to save the last two trapped miners.