Outrage over deadly mine blast

Police in the Turkish cities of Ankara and Istanbul have fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of demonstrators protesting over a deadly mine explosion, Radio New Zealand reports.

The demonstrators have called for the government to resign over the mine blast where 245 workers are confirmed killed and around 120 still feared to be trapped in what is likely to prove the nation's worst ever industrial disaster.

Nearly 450 workers have been rescued, according to the mine operator. However, no survivors have been found in the last few hours and more than 100 are still unaccounted.

Eighty of those rescued had been treated for injuries, none of which were described as serious.

Local media reports said protesters in Soma kicked Mr Erdogan's car and called for his resignation after he gave a news conference on the disaster, the BCC reports.