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17 Killed In Blast At Girls Dormitory
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Published: August 2, 2008
ISTANBUL, Turkey - An explosion destroyed a three-story girls dormitory in central Turkey on Friday, killing at least 17 students, injuring 27 and setting off a frantic search for others trapped in the rubble.
Rescuers working late into the night - removing debris with shovels, pickaxes and their bare hands - pulled out two survivors, leaving at least one girl unaccounted for.
"We won't stop until we find her," said Mehmet Demirgul, mayor of Balcilar, where the collapse occurred.
Officials said about 45 girls between ages 8 and 16 were staying at the dormitory as they attended Quran courses during the summer break.
Demirgul said a leaking pipe carrying liquefied petroleum gas likely caused the blast.
Student Merve Avci said she arose before morning prayers when she and some teachers heard a strange sound and went to the kitchen to investigate, according to the Anatolia news agency.
The Associated Press
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