Bartın mine explosion: Lawyers' groups take action to prevent 'spoliation of evidence'

Photo: AA

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In the aftermath of the deadly firedamp explosion on October 14 in the Amasra district of the northern Bartın province, lawyers are worried about possible spoliation of evidence.

Lawyers associated with the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), together with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) and the Bartın Bar Association, filed a petition with the Bartın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

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They demand that suspects related to the firedamp explosion be prohibited from entering the mine site to prevent the concealment of evidence and the seizing of information and documents required for technical examination. Furthermore, they request that the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) be contacted for an examination by an independent expert.

Nine days before the explosion on October 14, the Court of Accounts Energy Group President İbrahim Özkarcı and expert auditors Fatih Yoleri, Salih Temirci, Ümit Özçentik, and the General Manager of Turkish Hard Coal Corporation Kazım Eroğlu and his team conducted a report on the investigation conducted at the -350 meter elevation, where the explosion took place.

These records were also requested and include: a management chart showing management and responsibilities at the mine, the emergency action plan at the mine, the mine's emergency management scheme, and invoices and records showing that methane, carbon monoxide, and oxygen masks, are maintained, used or kept ready for use.

The ÇHD headquarters referred in an accompanying statement to previous explosions, such as in Soma and Hendek, stating that evidence was hidden during those explosions. In Soma, on May 13 2014, the worst mine disaster in Türkiye's history killed 301 people due to a blast. In Hendek, on July 3 2020, four people lost their lives due to an explosion at a firework factory. (AS/WM/VK)