Company Owner Disappears after Mine Explosion

General manager Fahrettin Çolpan, business manager Hayrettin Çelik and quarry supervisor Bayram Erdoğan of the Büyükköy Mining company have been arrested in the context of a gas explosion that occurred in a coal mine in the Mustafakemalpaşa district of Bursa on the eastern coast of the Sea of Marmara on 10 December. 19 workers died in the explosion which happened in a depth of 220 metres.

As reported by Anatolian News Agency, the company executives stand accused for "neglecting their duty and causing the death of more than 1 person out of negligence". However, company owner mining engineer Nurullah Ercan cannot be reached, neither has he given any statement up to now. Mayor of Bursa Şahabettin Harput declared to expand the proceedings and also include other people who are to be held responsible.

Ventilation and gas measurement insufficient

Mayor Harput announced the result of the inspectors' preliminary investigation: "The ventilation of the quarry was insufficient as well as the gas measurement system. Mistakes and deficits occurred regarding the dynamite ignition".

Harput said that the mine will be shut down for the next 6 months.

The incident happened due to a methane gas explosion when dynamite was used to loosen the mine layer.

Turkey Revolutionary Mining Search and Business Workers Union (DEV.MADEN-SEN) Deputy Chairman Tayfun Görgün talked to bianet after the explosion. According to Görgün, the death of the 19 workers could have been prevented. He said that the dynamite would not have been ignited if proper measurements of the methane gas level had been made.

Critical gas level did not develop unnoticed

As reported by Sena Kiper from the Turkish news channel NTV, victim Dursun Kaban had pointed out that workers of the previous shift had complaint about the gas. However, the shift manager put forward that they were forced to continue working.

Deficiency report ignored?

According to Sabah newspaper, an inspection had been carried out in the mine 6 months ago. The examination determined deficiencies in the mine which were communicated to the company owner. The management said to resolve the deficiencies as soon as possible. (TK/VK)