World Bulletin / News Desk

An image has emerged appearing to show the moment an advisor to the Turkish Prime Minister,Yusuf Yerkel, kicked a protester being restrained on the ground during anti-government demonstrations following an explosion in a coal mine that left 282 dead and scores injured.

Today's world press headlined Yerkel's kicking the protester. News about the subject from some press:

BBC: National disasters produce lasting images, which can often change the course of a leader's time in office. US President Bill Clinton's embrace of victims of the 1995 Oklahoma bombing increased his stature, while Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's care for the victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake ensured his popularity.
By contrast, here in Soma, Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to have struggled to capture the mood of an angry, mourning nation.It may be that the startling photo of an Erdogan aide (in a smart suit) kicking a protester comes to symbolise what has happened here.

DAILY MAIL: The fresh allegation came amid fury over a brutal physical attack Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s aide made against a protester.

THE GUARDIAN: Turkey mine disaster: aide to PM pictured kicking protester. Incident came as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was jostled by crowds during visit to scene of country's worst mining disaster.

THE TIMES: A shocking image of the Turkish prime minister’s aide kicking a protester has fuelled anti-government anger over the country’s worst industrial disaster.

CNN: The image of an aide to Turkey's Prime Minister kicking a man protesting the mine disaster that has claimed nearly 300 lives has prompted outrage -- and has become a symbol of the anger felt against the government.

Yerkel has apologized after a photograph emerged online on Thursday which appeared to show him kicking a protester, claimed to be a relative of a victim in Tuesday's coal mine disaster in Manisa province.

"I am deeply sorry for the incident that occurred Wednesday in Soma," Yusuf Yerkel said in a written statement issued Thursday.

"I apologize for not being able to restrain myself despite all the provocations, insults and attacks I was subjected to," he added.