One executive arrested over alleged negligence in deadly Siirt mine disaster

SİİRT – Anadolu Agency

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The chief executive of the copper mine in the Şirvan district of the southeastern province of Siirt, where 16 workers were trapped underground after a massive landslide, has been arrested on charges of criminal negligence. 

Six workers have been found dead since the disaster on Nov. 18, while 10 were reported to be still under the wreckage. Their condition remains unknown. 

Five people employed by the mine-owning company, Park Elektrik A.Ş., were detained in the investigation opened after the landslide, which occurred after heavy rain in the region. On Nov. 19, a court in Şirvan arrested Mehmet Oğuz, who was among those detained, on charges of criminal negligence.  

Two labor safety experts, one chief engineer, and the subcontractor firm owner have been released after questioning. Police are continuing work to track down the subcontractor firm’s individual responsible for field work at the mine.  

Meanwhile, rescue teams’ work to reach the 10 trapped workers is ongoing, under the leadership of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Rescue work has focused on areas where construction machines are located, as all 16 of the workers at the mine were operators of construction vehicles working on the copper extraction. 

The site chief of the mine, Ramazan Azboy, told reporters that they hoped to reach four or five more of the trapped workers and pledged to continue work until they were found.