The Turkish Prime Minister has defended his country's mining safety record, as at least 282 workers were confirmed dead in an underground explosion.

Tayyip Erdogan's car was attacked by protesters as he visited the scene of the disaster in Soma, some 250 kilometres south of Istanbul.

Miners are holding a strike in protest at the disaster, amid mounting fury over poor industry safety standards.

The accident has also become a focal point of wider dissent against the ruling administration, which has been in power for 11 years, with violent clashes in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

Emergency workers are fighting fire and toxic fumes as they search for survivors, with around 150 miners still feared trapped.

The government said 787 people were inside the coal mine at the time of the explosion, and 363 have been rescued including many who were injured. But some families have cast doubt on the official figures.

As thousands of anxious relatives waited for news of Turkey's worst mining disaster, Mr. Erdogan was accused of ignoring warnings over safety at the coal pit.

Andrew Finkel, a journalist in Turkey, told Newstalk Breakfast earlier that concerns were highlighted over safety issues at mines around the country, just weeks before the tragedy.

This woman is waiting by the mine for news of a missing relative.

Attempt to downplay disaster

A convoy containing the Prime Minister's car was attacked by crowds and he was forced to seek refuge in a supermarket, surrounded by police. With feelings running high, protesters shouted for him to resign and said he was a "murderer" and a "thief".

And Mr. Erdogan's attempt to downplay the disaster at a news conference did little to defuse tensions. He said accidents happened in other countries and even pointed to cases in 19th century Britain.

Mr. Erdogan said "These types of things in mines happen all the time. It's in its nature. It's not possible for there to be no accidents in mines. Of course we were deeply pained by the extent here".

He declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast. The public backlash over the disaster could threaten Mr. Erdogan's presidential ambitions ahead of the August election.

Those still trapped are thought to be some 2 kilometres below the surface and 4 kilometres from the mine entrance.

Despite efforts to help any survivors who may be struggling to breathe, the country's energy minister Taner Yildiz said "hopes are diminishing" among rescuers.

The last miner to be rescued alive emerged from the mine in the early hours of Wednesday morning.