At least 9 missing after landslide mine catastrophe in Türkiye's Erzincan

At least 9 miners are missing after a catastrophic collapse at the Anagold Gold Mine in Erzincan's Ilic district in northern Türkiye left numerous workers trapped under debris on February 13, Türkiye Newspaper reports.

The initial understanding of the event, deemed a long-feared disaster at this increasingly expanded mining site, was that tons of soil and rock had dramatically shifted, signalling a mine collapse.

However, Erzincan Governor Hamza Aydogdu, contradicting earlier reports, stated that the incident was not a collapse.

"There was no collapse in the mine, but rather a landslide. Also, there was no explosion."

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced that nine workers are currently unaccounted for following the landslide at Erzincan's Anagold Gold Mine.

"At about 14:00, a landslide occurred due to shifting soil piled on the surface. Our teams are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped under the soil. Out of 667 workers, contact has not been established with nine. The rescue mission continues with 400 crew members," stated Yerlikaya.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc also spoke on the matter, revealing that four prosecutors have been assigned to conduct a judicial investigation into the incident.

"The landslide in our mine in Erzincan's Ilic district at around 14:30 deeply saddened us. A legal investigation has been initiated by the Ilic Public Prosecutor's Office. I extend my condolences to the citizens of Erzincan and pray for the safe recovery of our miners trapped in the landslide," Tunc expressed.