‘Gross negligence’ led to Turkish mine disaster

A new expert report on a mining disaster that killed 301 miners in the western town of Soma in May has concluded production pressure pushed safety off the agenda at the privately-run, state-owned mine. The report identified 20 instances of gross negligence that led to the disaster.

A new expert report on a mining disaster that killed 301 miners in the western town of Soma in May has concluded production pressure pushed safety off the agenda at the privately-run, state-owned mine.

The report identified 20 instances of gross negligence that led to the disaster. According to the report, which has been submitted to the public prosecutor’s office that is investigating the disaster, sensors in the coal mine had reported a risk of fire, but no action was taken.

The report noted there was no refuge chamber in the mine, and the mine operator did not provide workers with functioning gas masks. The experts stated in their report that the necessary inspection of electrical systems and gas sensors had not taken place, and that both systems were inadequate. Ventilation and communication systems were also substandard and miners were not provided with the necessary training or an escape plan.

According to the Turkish newspaper Today’s Zaman, the mine was also producing coal way beyond its agreed volumes. “Production in the mine was 2.5 times more than planned. More miners than planned were working in the mine, but the ventilation system was not strong enough to provide the miners with clean air,” the report noted.

The mine, though operated by Soma Kömür İşletmelerli A.Ş., is owned by the state-run Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKİ). The service procurement system allowing private companies such as Soma Kömür İşletmelerli A.Ş. to operate state-owned mines was introduced by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in 2013. Critics say this followed a relaxation of work safety rules intended to increase investment.

Eight people, including a general manager and the chief executive of the mining company, have been arrested on charges of “causing multiple deaths by negligence.”