The death toll rises to over 270 in a coal mine, in Soma, in western Turkey.<br /> <br />Protests broke out in major cities around Turkey as people blamed Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for ignoring warnings over the safety of the country's mines.<br /> <br />In Istanbul clashes broke out, with police firing teargas to disperse protesters.<br /> <br />Erdogan however defended his country's mining record during a visit to Soma.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING:<br /> <br />"Such mine accidents do not happen only in Turkey. It also happens in many countries such as the United States, China, France, India and Belgium. I give, for example, figures for death tolls, many people died in such coal mine accidents. Our country is in a much better position."<br /> <br />For those on site hopes have begun to fade as some workers still remain trapped and efforts have slowed.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) MINER HARUN OZER SAYING:<br /> <br />"We are on hold. The rescue operation is on hold. They
