25 people detained after the mining disaster in Turkey

Turkish police detained 25 people and arrested three others after the mining accident in Turkey. The detained people were charged for negligence after 301 miners died in the mining disaster.

The three men were also charged with the crime of causing the death of multiple miners. The information was confirmed by the Turkish prosecutor in charge, Bekir Sahiner. Six of the 25 detained were later released, having nothing to do with the mining accident in Soma.

A preliminary report published by Turkish media revealed that smoldering coal caused the mine's roof to collapse. The report also added the beams supporting the tunnels of the mine were made out of wood, not metal and mine had not enough monoxide sensors.

The general manager of the company, Soma Madencilik and the plant manager were among the detainees. He denied any negligence charges while the plant manager, Akin Celik said “We all worked in tough conditions, but in 20 years I have never seen one incident.”

The disaster sparked a a series of protest across Turkey. The most violent ones were in Ankara where protesters, most of them miners called for better safety features.