Simmering tensions over the deadly explosions have rapidly spread across the country.

Demonstrators clashed with security forces as families began to bury the 283 men killed in the disaster.

While speaking at the mine, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly sought refuge from the jeering crowd in a supermarket. According to Turkish media, he struck a teenage girl who called him a murderer.

Turkish newspapers also published photographs showing the PM’s adviser - Yusuf Yerkel, a deputy chief of staff – kicking a protester at the mine as the man was being wrestled to the ground by security forces.

The incident occurred during Mr Erdogan's visit on Wednesday to a coal mine in the western town of Soma, where at least 283 miners were killed in Turkey's worst mining disaster.

Scores of others are still missing.

There has also been speculation on social media that the government has covered up the number of illegally employed children trapped in the disaster.

As the death toll nears 300 the hope of rescuing the remaining 141 believed to still be trapped deep inside the mine is waning.

The first funerals were held as laborers were seen digging lines of graves in a cemetery close to the mine.

Women with pictures of victims pinned to their clothing could be heard singing as coffins were lowered into the graves.

Rescue teams recovered another eight victims on Thursday. The death toll stands at 283, with 141 people still unaccounted for.

Hopes of finding any survivors have dwindled as no miner has been brought out alive since dawn on Wednesday.