Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faced a wave of criticism over his words of “fate” after 41 miners were killed in an explosion at a coal mine in Amasra, Bartin province. Accidents like this will always happen. We also need to know this, Erdogan said.
The time of the explosion that occurred in the northwestern town of Amasra on Friday110 people worked, including 49 in the most vulnerable area at a depth of 300-350 meters. Local authorities said 41 people were killed.
58 miners managed to get out of the mine on their own or with the help of rescuers.
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On Saturday, Erdogan went to the crash site. “We are people who believe in the plan of fate,” the Turkish president told reporters, surrounded by rescuers. Accidents like this will always happen. We also need to know that – he added.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared in the mine the day after the explosionReuters
Erdogan’s words were criticized. In what century do we live? Why do mine accidents happen only in Turkey? Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s main opposition party, questioned.
Emin Koramaz, President of the Turkish Federation of Chambers of Engineers and Architects, stated that the explosion that occurred in the mine in the city of Amasra cannot be described as an accident. He wrote on Twitter that miners were sent “hundreds of meters underground without taking the necessary precautions, without checking, and without creating safe conditions.”
Erdogan’s comment also sparked protests in Istanbul, with some protesters speaking of a “massacre”.
Rescue operation after a mine explosion in TurkeyPAP / EPA / ERDEM SAHIN
Explosion in the mine may cause gas
Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said the explosion was initially caused by a gas mine. Turkish authorities said the prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation.
According to the relatives of the deceased – as reported on the BBC website – the increase in gas concentration was alerted for more than a week.
Relative of a miner at the site of a mine explosion in Bartin districtPAP / EPA / EPA / ERDEM SAHIN
The explosion occurred in a coal mine in the city of AmasraGoogle Maps
Main image source: PAP / EPA / EPA / ERDEM SAHIN
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