Ermenek coal mine
{{Short description|Coal mine in Ermenek, Turkey}}
Ermenek coal mine, owned by a company formerly called Has Sekerler now Özşeker,{{Cite web |date=2020-09-29 |title=Ermenek'teki facianın ardından isim değiştirdi, yoluna devam etti |url=https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/ermenekteki-facianin-ardindan-isim-degistirdi-yoluna-devam-etti-1769833 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=www.cumhuriyet.com.tr |language=tr}} is a coal mine in the Turkish town of Ermenek.
On October 28, 2014, 18 miners were trapped underground. It was the second major accident at a Turkish mine in six months; the previous one was the Soma mine disaster in May 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-mine-collapse-idUSKBN0IH18520141028 | title=Hopes dim for 18 workers trapped in Turkish mine | work=Reuters | date=28 October 2014 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | author=Reuters}}
Accident
It is believed 18 miners were trapped about 300 meters underground by flooding caused by a broken pipe. In addition to those trapped, 20 workers have either escaped the mine or were rescued from it.{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-23-trapped-turkish-mine-collapse-26504947 | title=18 Miners Trapped in Coal Mine Accident in Turkey | work=ABC News | date=28 October 2014 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | author=Fraser, Suzan}} Rescue workers are currently working to pump water out from three sections of the mine. On October 30, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız stated that this operation was being hampered by mud and damage within the mine.{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hopes-fade-18-trapped-turkish-miners-26565588 | title=Hopes Fade for 18 Trapped Turkish Miners | work=ABC News | date=30 October 2014 | accessdate=30 October 2014 | author=Associated Press}} An official from the mine, which is privately owned, said the chances of the trapped miners making it to safety were slim unless they had been able to reach a safety gallery.{{cite web | url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/turkish-rescue-workers-pump-out-water-trying-to-save-18-workers-trapped-in-flooded-coal-mine/ | title=Turkish rescue workers pump out water, trying to save 18 workers trapped in flooded coal mine | work=Fox News | date=29 October 2014 | access-date=29 October 2014 | author=Associated Press}} Two of the miners' bodies have been located. On November 9, Yıldız said that arrest warrants for eight people had been issued, including the owner of the mine.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2014/11/09/mine-owners-to-blame-for-tragedy-says-minister | title=Mine owners to blame for tragedy, says minister | work=Daily Sabah | date=9 November 2014 | accessdate=10 November 2014}}
Reactions
- Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, cancelled planned Republic Day celebrations due to the accident, and also visited the mine on October 29.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/30/world/europe/turkey-coal-mine-recep-tayyip-erdogan.html | title=Turkish Leader Cancels Holiday Celebrations to Observe Rescue Mission at Coal Mine | work=New York Times | date=29 October 2014 | accessdate=29 October 2014 | author=Arsu, Sebnem}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Portal|Turkey|Energy}}
{{coord missing|Turkey}}
Category:Coal mining disasters in Turkey
Category:2014 mining disasters
Category:2014 disasters in Turkey
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