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[edit]
It is believed 18 miners were trapped about 300 meters underground by flooding caused by a broken pipe.[3] 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.[6] On November 9, Yıldız said that arrest warrants for eight people had been issued, including the owner of the mine.[6]
Reactions[edit]
- Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, cancelled planned Republic Day celebrations due to the accident, and also visited the mine on October 29.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ "Ermenek'teki facianın ardından isim değiştirdi, yoluna devam etti". www.cumhuriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ Reuters (28 October 2014). "Hopes dim for 18 workers trapped in Turkish mine". Reuters. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c d Fraser, Suzan (28 October 2014). "18 Miners Trapped in Coal Mine Accident in Turkey". ABC News. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ Associated Press (30 October 2014). "Hopes Fade for 18 Trapped Turkish Miners". ABC News. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- ^ Associated Press (29 October 2014). "Turkish rescue workers pump out water, trying to save 18 workers trapped in flooded coal mine". Fox News. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Mine owners to blame for tragedy, says minister". Daily Sabah. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ Arsu, Sebnem (29 October 2014). "Turkish Leader Cancels Holiday Celebrations to Observe Rescue Mission at Coal Mine". New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
