Miners supposed to be in training perished in Soma disaster

Taylan Yıldırım MANİSA

Miners walk out from a mine during a break from their search and rescue operation for their colleagues trapped in a coal mine after a mining disaster in Soma, May 16. REUTERS Photo

Seven miners who were supposed to be receiving professional training during the Soma disaster were among the 301 perished workers, a company document has unveiled. 

The document said the miners were at a work safety and health class, raising questions as to whether these courses had ever taken place or if they were only on paper.

The inspectors who have been examining the mines since the disaster in the western town are expected to discover the truth about this contradiction, though another possibility is that these seven miners were among those who died during the rescue efforts.

Can Gürkan, the chairman of the mine, Ramazan Doğru, the general manager, and nine other company executives are under arrest in accusations regarding their responsibility in Turkey’s largest ever mining disaster.

Some miners have been quoted as saying in media reports that trainees used to work in the mines, despite this being illegal.

A photo shot days before the disaster shows all seven miners, along with 13 others, during a hunting party was published on social media websites.

The subcontractor system at the mines, along with the work and health conditions, has been largely discussed in the wake of the disaster.