ISTANBUL - A devastating landslide at a gold mine in Turkey's eastern Anatolia region has left nine mine workers trapped underground, announced Turkish authorities. The incident occurred at the Copler mine in the mountainous Erzincan province at 2:28 p.m. local time, causing a collapse that trapped the workers below the surface.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on Tuesday that the government believes the workers became trapped as a result of the mine collapse. He expressed deep concern for the well-being and safety of those affected by the incident, highlighting the urgent need for rescue operations to commence and bring the workers to safety.

In response to this catastrophe, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc revealed that state prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the incident. The aim of the investigation is to determine the root cause of the landslide and ascertain if any negligence or misconduct contributed to this unfortunate event. Tunc emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for this incident, ensuring justice is upheld for the trapped mine workers and their families.

Rescue efforts are underway, with emergency response teams and rescue workers tirelessly working to locate and extract the trapped individuals from beneath the rubble. The treacherous mountainous terrain poses additional challenges for the rescue operation, further complicating efforts to reach the workers quickly and safely.

This devastating incident serves as another reminder of the dangerous nature of mining operations and the risks faced by mine workers worldwide. It also underscores the critical significance of adhering to strict safety protocols and implementing effective measures to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.

The thoughts and prayers of the nation are with the trapped mine workers and their families during this distressing time. Authorities are committed to doing everything possible to ensure the successful rescue of the workers while simultaneously conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.