Turkish Mine Disaster: 25 Mining Company Executives Arrested; Three Charged with Manslaughter

From ABConline – May 19, 2014  – http://tinyurl.com/nz2zxen

Turkish police have so far charged three of the 25 people they have arrested as part of an investigation into last week’s mine disaster.

Those arrested include executives from the mining company that ran the mine in the western Turkish town of Soma.

The rescue operation at the mine ended on Saturday after the bodies of the last two workers were carried out, bringing the death toll to 301.

Prosecutor Bekir Sahiner told reporters 25 people had been detained on a provisional charge of “causing multiple deaths” and three had been charged with manslaughter.

Among those detained was Akin Celik, general director of mine operator Soma Komur, local television channel NTV reported.

“We have all worked very hard. I have not seen such an incident in 20 years,” Mr Celik said on Friday.

Soma Komur has denied any negligence.

Turkey’s labour ministry also denied culpability, saying the mine had been inspected every six months.

A preliminary expert report on the accident obtained by the Milliyet newspaper pointed to several safety violations in the mine, including a shortage of carbon monoxide detectors and ceilings made of wood instead of metal.

A total of 787 people were inside the mine when the blast hit, according to energy minister Taner Yildiz.

Mr Yildiz said most of the victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“I was very sad when I came here and I am still very sad,” he said on Sunday.

Mourning continues as dead are buried

Mourners cried and prayed beside a line of recently filled graves as one of the miners was buried in Soma on Sunday (local time).

Holding their palms open to the sky, about 1,000 people said “amen” in unison as a white-bearded imam recited verses.

“My only wish and battle will be to make sure Soma is not forgotten,” said a written note, signed “your brother”, which was left on one grave along with some flowers.

Ramazan, a worker from a mine near the one where the accident occurred, was among those paying his respects.

“My friend lost half of his family. And for what? To make a living,” he said. “Accidents can happen of course, but it’s an accident when one person, two people die. When 300 people die, it’s not an accident anymore.”

The disaster has added to the huge political pressure on Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan, whose Islamic-rooted party emerged triumphant from March 30 local elections despite a corruption scandal implicating key allies and last year’s mass protests.

The accident occurred on Tuesday when a fire sent deadly carbon monoxide coursing through the mine.

The accident has triggered protests across Turkey, aimed at mine owners accused of ignoring safety for profit, and at Mr Erdogan’s government, seen as too close to industry bosses and insensitive in its response.

Police put the town of Soma on virtual lockdown on Saturday, setting up checkpoints and detaining dozens of people to enforce a ban on protests. Security in the town remained tight on Sunday.