'Occupational safety training started only after the deadly explosion'

Photo: Selim Bostancı - Bartın / AA

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The second session of the third hearing period of the case related to the killing on the job of 43 miners in the Amasra hard coal mine affiliated with the Turkish Hardcoal Enterprise (TTK) was held yesterday (July 25). 

23 suspects are standing trial in the case related to the explosion that killed 43 miners and injured 9 in the mine on October 14, 2022. 

 "They were talking about a problem in the ventilation system"

Hilal Tok reported in Evrensel newspaper that in the hearing, statements were taken of the families of the miners and the miners injured in the explosion. 

The families testified yesterday that the miners who lost their lives in the explosion frequently had headaches and stomach upset in the days prior to the explosion. The families had also told that the miners were increasingly tired lately, due to the pressure to increase the production. 

Remzi Taşkömür, a worker in the carrying department for 13 years, whose body was largely burnt in the explosion told the court that there were talks that there was a problem related to the ventilation system. "They were saying that the main fan was going to be changed," he said.

"The union had told us that we would be going on leave at the beginning of the month. There was no pressure in our department but my friends were telling me that there was pressure to increase the production in their department. Lately, I used to go to bed immediately after coming from work. Often I was tired and I had a headache," he said and added that he wanted the court to press charges against the suspects. 

“What would you do if it was your son in my place?”

Taşdemir said that he wanted to ask something to the manager of the enterprise. "What would you do if it was your son in my place? Look at me.." he said. 

Taşkömür added that his fingers were going to be cut due to the damage caused by the explosion. 

"Changing of the ventilation system delayed"

Kemal Berberoğlu, who was hospitalized and who stayed in the hospital for three days after the explosion said he survived thanks to a water dam. The changing of the ventilation system was delayed due to the elections for the trade union body, he asserted. 

Berberoğlu also told the court that cameras were placed in the mine and in the field everywhere after the deadly explosion, and he asked, "Should this be done after we lost so many of our friends?"

Twins born after the death of their father

Sena Yıldırım, gave birth to her twins after her husband Şaban Yıldırım was killed in the explosion.

"Şaban used to be very tired coming home from the mine. He had turned into someone who always wanted drugs from me, who searched for a drug in the medicine cabinet, who went to the doctor to have medicine prescribed. He was always tired, sleepy and he had a headache in the last month. Even the smell on his clothes was different," said the mother of the twins. 

"They had Whatsapp groups among the workers and he had left the group due to the pressures and favoritism. The deficiency of personnel and the problem with the ventilation system were widely discussed in the last period. If there was effective inspection, a sufficient number of technical personnel if the oxygen mask drill was carried out seriously with the participation of every worker, would we have 43 miners killed now," Yıldırım asked.

"Mask training after the explosion"

Tanju Kormaz, another worker injured in the explosion also addressed the court.

Kormaz said, "It was apparent one week ago that something was missing. It was very hot. Concerning the ventilation system, I have heard that the ventilation at -320 was insufficient. There was going to be maintenance on the fan but it was not done due ot the trade union elections. The number of personnel was insufficient. A workplace safety course was started very quickly after the accident and I received training on masks there."

Burak Sümertaş is again one of the workers who were injured in the explosion.

Sümertaş told the court that it was by chance that he was able to open his mask during the accident. "The explosion took place. The voices of our friends 20-30 meters away from us were gone suddenly. I thought they had left me, and I was not able to walk. I tried to open my mask but I was not able to. By chance, I was able to use it by bringing the pipe to my mouth. In the training before the explosion they showed it once and without opening the mask. After the accident, they had us open the mask this time and the training was extended to three days," he said. 

Sümertaş also said that there was no rescue team before the accident but that a rescue team was established in the mine after the explosion. 

Two other injured workers, Yaşar Türedi and Sezgin Çelen, also said that the ventilation was insufficient and that the mine got warmer before the explosion. 

Interlocutory ruling

The court ruled at the end of the hearing that the suspects who are arrested should continue to stay behind bars, and rejected the requests that the other suspects should also be arrested. 

The interlocutory ruling also includes that time should be given for the preparation of the lists of witnesses, that a team should be set up for viewing, and the reply learned to the request that those in the TTK General Directorate who are responsible should stand trial. 

The next hearing will be held on October 16-17 and on October 18 if the need arises. (AS/PE)