One killed in illegal coal mine collapse in northern Turkey after Soma disaster

ZONGULDAK – Doğan News Agency

AA Photo

One worker was killed after being trapped under wreckage when an illegal coal mine collapsed in the Black Sea province of Zonguldak on May 14. The accident came just a day after the tragedy at the mine in Soma, in which over 200 miners were killed.

A roof 300 meters from the entrance of the illegal mine collapsed at around 11 a.m., trapping one worker while two others were able to escape. Alongside other people working at nearby facilities, the workers who escaped tried to rescue their friend, identified as Mehmet Aygün, and also called the Turkish Hard Coal Authority (TTK) for help.

A team assigned by TTK to conduct the search and rescue operation reached Aygün only after he died.

Despite retiring two years ago, he was reportedly working in order to afford his two daughters’ university fees. He started to work at the illegal mine one year ago and was paid 2,000 Turkish Liras per month.