Ermenek coal mine explained

Ermenek coal mine, owned by a company formerly called Has Sekerler now Özşeker,^[1] is a coal mine in the Turkish town of Ermenek.

On October 28, 2014, 18 miners were trapped underground. It was the second major accident at a Turkish mine in six months; the previous one was the Soma mine disaster in May 2014.^[2]

Accident

It is believed 18 miners were trapped about 300 meters underground by flooding caused by a broken pipe. In addition to those trapped, 20 workers have either escaped the mine or were rescued from it.^[3] Rescue workers are currently working to pump water out from three sections of the mine.^[3] On October 30, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız stated that this operation was being hampered by mud and damage within the mine.^[4] An official from the mine, which is privately owned, said the chances of the trapped miners making it to safety were slim unless they had been able to reach a safety gallery.^{[3] [5]} Two of the miners' bodies have been located. On November 9, Yıldız said that arrest warrants for eight people had been issued, including the owner of the mine.^[6]

Reactions

• Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, cancelled planned Republic Day celebrations due to the accident, and also visited the mine on October 29.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2020-09-29 . Ermenek'teki facianın ardından isim değiştirdi, yoluna devam etti . 2023-08-21 . www.cumhuriyet.com.tr . tr.
2. Web site: Hopes dim for 18 workers trapped in Turkish mine . Reuters . 28 October 2014 . 29 October 2014 . Reuters.
3. Web site: 18 Miners Trapped in Coal Mine Accident in Turkey . ABC News . 28 October 2014 . 29 October 2014 . Fraser, Suzan.
4. Web site: Hopes Fade for 18 Trapped Turkish Miners . ABC News . 30 October 2014 . 30 October 2014 . Associated Press.
5. Web site: Turkish rescue workers pump out water, trying to save 18 workers trapped in flooded coal mine . Fox News . 29 October 2014 . 29 October 2014 . Associated Press.
6. Web site: Mine owners to blame for tragedy, says minister . Daily Sabah . 9 November 2014 . 10 November 2014.
7. Web site: Turkish Leader Cancels Holiday Celebrations to Observe Rescue Mission at Coal Mine . New York Times . 29 October 2014 . 29 October 2014 . Arsu, Sebnem.