The search for victims of the coal mine fire in Soma, Turkey, that killed 301 miners, ended Saturday. Authorities believe they have now recovered the bodies of all the workers who perished.
The mine complex exploded in flames for unknown reasons on Tuesday, trapping 787 miners deep underground. Following the extraction of the last two bodies, the mine entrance was sealed with bricks.
The Turkish police have arrested 25 people, among which General Manager Ramazan Dogru and the mine’s Operations Manager Akin Celik. Three of the detained are reportedly charged with manslaughter.
The people of Soma, along with those who survived the disaster have been protesting for days against the Government and the mine operators, demanding justice for the 301 lost souls.
Local authorities in Soma have banned demonstrations and dozens of people have been detained by the police. Worldwide reports claim that around 36 people, including eight lawyers who were engaged in advising the families who lost their lives, were briefly arrested and held in a stadium in Soma at the weekend after they attempted to make a statement.
However, reacting to widespread public anger, government officials promised to investigate and pledged that any mine officials found to be negligent would be prosecuted, reports The Australian.
The preliminary report revealed possible safety violations, including a shortage of carbon-monoxide detectors and ceilings made of wood instead of metal. Mine operator Soma Komur continues to deny any negligence. The owner of SOMA Komur Isletmeleri A.S., Alp Gurman, said the mine met the highest standards laid out by the law in Turkey. The company, he said, had no legal obligation to build safety chambers.
According to the report on the ABC, Turkey’s labour ministry also denied culpability, saying the mine had been inspected every six months.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been criticised for appearing insensitive in his reaction to the disaster, while thousands mourn the miners that lost their lives so tragically.
“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,” said Ramazan, a worker from a nearby mine.
