ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Top leaders of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region sent messages of condolences to the Turkish government on Saturday over a deadly mine explosion in the country that left at least 40 dead.
A blast inside a coal mine in the Turkish northern province of Bartin on Friday evening killed 41 workers and injured an additional 11, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“We no longer want to see any deficiencies or unnecessary risks in our mines,” Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu Agency cited Erdogan as saying, with Energy Minister Fatih Donmez stating that the blast was caused by firedamp, an explosive mixture of flammable gases in mines.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the mine explosion.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the coal mine explosion in Turkiye,” the president said in a tweet.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also extended his condolences by sending a message to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu where he expressed solidarity with the victims.
Iraq’s foreign ministry offered its condolences to Turkey following the incident as well.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends its deepest condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Turkey,” a statement from the Iraqi foreign ministry read.
Anadolu added that at least 110 miners were working inside the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK) mineshaft at the time of the explosion.
An investigation has also been launched into the incident.
Leaders from around the world and foreign missions in Turkey conveyed their support to Ankara following the deadly blast.
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