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Turkey denies charges in mining disaster
SOMA, Turkey – The Turkish government and mining company officials vehemently denied Friday that negligence was at the root of the country’s worst mining disaster, even as opposition lawmakers raised questions about possible lax oversight.
Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said at least 292 people died in Tuesday’s coal mine fire in Soma, a town in western Turkey. Another nine or 10 people are believed to be missing underground while 485 miners escaped or were rescued from the inferno.
The government has asked for a parliamentary inquiry into the disaster to find out what happened and why – but it appeared that officials had already made up their minds Friday.
U.S. envoy seeks troops at embassy in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya – The U.S. ambassador in Kenya is requesting additional security assistance and reducing the number of people stationed at the embassy because of an increase in security threats.
Ambassador Robert Godec sent a letter to embassy staff Friday saying he has requested assistance from the Kenyan police and State Department. Godec said additional police are patrolling the embassy vicinity and that more assets will arrive from Washington next week.
Associated Press
