Deaths Top 300 In Turkish Mine Accident

Rescue workers have ended their search operations following this week's explosion and collapse at a coal mine in western Turkey.

The death toll reached 301 after the bodies of the last two trapped miners were retrieved on May 17.

The May 13 blast at the mine in the town of Soma was Turkey's worst-ever mining accident.

There have been angry protests in cities across Turkey over the government's response.

On May 16, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of protesters in Soma on May 16.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been the focus of protesters' anger after video footage emerged of him shouting at a protester, and one of his advisers was photographed kicking a demonstrator on the ground.
Based on reporting by AFP and dpa