Pope Francis: Pray for victims of Turkish mining disaster

(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis made an appeal for prayer for the miners who lost their lives in a mining disaster in Turkey: “Dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to pray for the miners who died in the mine yesterday in Soma, Turkey, and for those who are still trapped in the tunnels. May the Lord receive the deceased in His house and give comfort to their families.”

At the time of the audience, more than 200 miners were confirmed dead, with several hundred more believed to be trapped in the mines. Rescue workers pumped oxygen into the mine to try to keep those trapped by the blaze alive, as thousands of family members and co-workers gathered outside the town's hospital. Some 93 people were rescued, including several rescuers, and 85 of them were being treated for their injuries.

An explosion in the mines led to a fire which was still burning underground, hampering rescue operations and denting hopes of finding more survivors.