Ermenek miners died of gas poisoning, not drowning, autopsy reports say

ISTANBUL

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Ten people who died while trapped by an underground flood in the Ermenek mine did not drown, but rather died due to coal gas poisoning, autopsy reports have shown.

Ten miners’ bodies have been recovered from the coal mine in the Karaman province since the accident took place on Oct. 28, while efforts are continuing to locate the remains of the other eight. 

Autopsies conducted on the 10 miners revealed that they died of coal gas poisoning, daily Bugün reported on Nov. 28.

Eight of the miners, who were huddled around each other when they were found dead on the day 22 of the rescue efforts, had climbed a wall and waited there for 15 hours for help before succumbing to the poisoning, the report also stated.

Experts said the eight workers could have survived if the mine had a life refuge chamber, which can provide life-sustaining necessities for 30 days in emergency situations, allowing time for assistance to reach them.

An expert report prepared for the probe into the disaster has found the Energy Ministry’s General Directorate of Mining (MİGEM) guilty of indirectly causing the accident.

Following the report, an administrative investigation has been launched upon an order by the Ermenek Public Prosecutor’s Office into officials in the energy and labor ministries.