5 workers lost their lives and 9 officials were arrested in the mine collapse in Manisa Soma

A collapse occurred in a mining operation operating in Manisa Soma at around 14.00 the previous day. While 7 workers were trapped under the rubble, AFAD, fire brigade and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the region upon notice. The teams rescued injured workers Süleyman Şakrak and İbrahim Çimen. While Süleyman Şakrak, who was treated, was discharged, it was learned that İbrahim Çimen's treatment continued in the service.

SEARCH EFFORTS HAVE BEEN ENDED

At the end of the search and rescue operation carried out with a total of 756 personnel and 76 vehicles from AFAD, fire brigade, gendarmerie, police, UMKE, 112 Emergency Health teams, Red Crescent, Family and Social Services Directorate, Municipality and Rescue teams, the lifeless bodies of Halit Ersay (37) and Kerim Ören, then Ramazan İnce (26), İsa Olcay (49) and Ömer Karakaya were reached. Ömer Karakaya, married and father of one child, was buried yesterday. With the completion of search and rescue efforts, the number of miners who lost their lives in the incident increased to 5.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that an investigation was launched after the incident and 3 public prosecutors were assigned under the coordination of the Soma Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan also announced that a chief inspector was appointed by the Social Security Institution to investigate the collapse.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced that an expert committee was assigned to the incident.

Manisa Governorship also announced that search and rescue efforts were terminated.

'THE PILLARS SUDDENLY STARTED TO COLLAPSE'

İbrahim Çimen (44), married and father of three children, who was rescued WOUNDED and is being treated in the hospital, said, "We were working and supporting. The poles in the area where we were working suddenly started to collapse. I threw myself. The poles started pressing on my waist. At that moment, I remembered my children."

Stating that he had cracks and fractures in his hip and foot, Çimen said that he had been working in the mine since 2005. Stating that he continued to work due to his needs after retirement, Çimen said, "Salaries were not paid regularly. We all had the same problems, and this is reflected in our work."

9 OFFICIALS CAUGHT

The investigation regarding the collapse in the mine is continuing in many aspects. In the investigation carried out by 3 public prosecutors under the coordination of the Soma Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a detention order was issued for company officials who were considered to be responsible and negligent in the incident. Gendarmerie teams detained 9 suspects, including the general manager of the mining company.

It was reported that the suspects' procedures at the gendarmerie continue.