Nineteen die in Turkey mine fire

Some of the trapped miners have been rescued

At least 19 workers died and 17 were injured when a fire broke out in a copper mine in north-western Turkey.

The blaze and subsequent explosion collapsed the entrance to the mine near the town of Kure, 300km (185 miles) north of the capital, Ankara.

Thick smoke from the fire hampered rescue efforts as the men moved deeper into the mine seek refuge in shafts.

The bodies and injured have been recovered but the mine was still being searched to make sure no-one was left.

The fire is thought to have started during welding work in the tunnel, 150m below the surface.

It was extinguished after four hours and rescuers used gas masks to search in the thick smoke. Fans were used to dissolve the smoke and air was pumped into the mine.

The workers who have already reached the surface were relieved to be free.

"I spent three terrifying hours underground. I can't express how happy I am to be alive," miner Ali Cinar told Anatolian news agency.

After news of the fire broke, officials on the surface were in contact with the trapped miners by radio and had said they were doing well.

The BBC's Jonny Dymond said serious questions would asked about the incident as at first it seemed that many more of the men would have been saved.