Worker killed in mine explosion in southeast

ŞIRNAK

Soldiers inspect the spot where a mine blast in the southeastern province of Şırnak cost one life. DHA photo

A worker was killed at a coal mine explosion in the southeastern province of Şırnak on May 17, which came on the third anniversary of the coal mine blast that killed 30 workers in the Black Sea province of Zonguldak in 2010.

Gürgin Özen, 47, was killed by the explosion that took place at noon on Friday at a coal mine owned by a private firm. Another 15 workers escaped the blast by their own efforts, Doğan News Agency reported. National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and Civil Defense Search and Rescue teams reached the body of Özen after a search that lasted for several hours.

The body of Özen, a father of eight, was sent to Şırnak State Hospital. An investigation has started into the causes of the explosion.

The mine blast in Şırnak came on the same day that a mine blast in Karadon mine in Zonguldak killed 30 workers in 2010.

Some 30 workers lost their lives in the explosion that occurred on May17, 2010, at a mine administered by the Turkish Hard Coal Institute (TTK).

A ceremony is held each year on May 17 in front of the Karadon mine to commemorate the 30 lost miners.
Meanwhile, a court in Zonguldak decided on May 16 to give 100,000 Turkish Liras in compensation to the family of a miner who was killed in the mine blast three years ago, Anatolia news agency reported.

Aysun Özdal, wife of Sabri Özdal, 29, will receive 40,000 liras, while each of his two children, Faruk Erdem and Talha Görkem Özdal will receive 30,000 liras, the court decided.

TTK General Manager Burhan İnan said the works in this area had been carried out in hard conditions compare to other countries.