Five of seven workers trapped in a collapse at a mine in Soma, in western Türkiye’s Manisa province, at around 2 p.m. on October 1 were killed, while two were rescued injured.
A total of 756 personnel and 76 vehicles from AFAD, firefighters, gendarmerie, police, emergency medical teams, the Red Crescent and municipal crews took part in the rescue operation.
The five miners who lost their lives
Ramazan İnce (26) had worked at the mine for about two years and was preparing to get engaged. He was buried in Balıkesir’s Taşdibi neighborhood.
Kerim Ören was laid to rest in Kırkağaç, Manisa, after his autopsy at the İzmir Forensic Medicine Institute.
Halit Ersay (37) was buried in the Çameli district of Denizli.
Ömer Karakaya (34), a married father of one who had worked at the mine for about two years, was buried in Kırkağaç after a funeral prayer at Çiftehanlar Mosque attended by Deputy Energy Minister Abdullah Tancan, AFAD head Ali Hamza Pehlivan and Manisa Governor Vahdettin Özkan.
İsa Olcay, a miner for 20 years, had returned to mining about five years after leaving because of financial hardship, his brother said. He was buried in Gediz, Kütahya.
Survivors and investigation
Rescued miners İbrahim Çimen, 44, and Süleyman Şakrak are being treated in hospital. Çimen, who suffered a hip fracture and leg injuries, said the supports suddenly began to collapse and pinned him at the waist, and claimed that wages had not been paid regularly.
Three prosecutors were assigned to the case, and nine suspects, including the mining company’s general manager, were detained.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said an investigation into all aspects of the accident had been launched, while Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said the rescued workers were in good overall condition.
