An explosion at a state-owned mine that left 41 dead and trapped miners underground for hours has sparked public outrage in Turkey, with simmering anger at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that “fate” was to blame.
Erdoğan rushed to the northern Black Sea coast town of Amasra on Saturday, arriving as rescue teams worked to contain a fire at least 300 metres (985ft) underground that officials suggested was probably caused by the buildup of flammable gases in the mine, known as firedamp.
