19 Coal Mine Managers Detained in Şırnak

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Şırnak Governorship has stated that 19 managers have been detained as part of the investigation launched into the mine collapse that occurred on October 17, killing seven workers.

The statement claimed that the 19 managers provided finance to the Kurdistan Workers' Party/Kurdistan Communities Union (PKK/KCK).

Şırnak Governorship stated:

“19 people have been taken into custody in an operation carried out simultaneously by Şırnak Provincial Gendarmerie Commandership and Gendarmerie General Commandership Department of Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Bureau Directorate on October 25, 2017 within the scope of ‘Opposing to Law on Prevention of Finance of Terrorism’ against Coal Mine operators who were determined to mine coal unlicensed and finance PKK/KCK Separatist Terror Organization”.

İrmez: Şırnak Governorship is responsible for the homicides

In a speech he delivered at General Assembly of the Parliament yesterday (October 24), Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Şırnak MP Aycan İrmez said that Şırnak Governorship is responsible for the deaths in the coal mines:

“The Şırnak field held by the Turkish Coal Enterprise (TKİ) was assigned to Şırnak Special Provincial Administration in exchange for royalty via contract dated March 26, 2002. According to the royalty contract, Şırnak Governorship Special Provincial Administration is responsible for the mining activities carried out in the field.

“This demonstrates that it is Şırnak Governorship that is accountable for the homicides. Besides, the coal produced is put on the market within the knowledge of the officials.

“Tons of coals produced in these mines that are considered unlicensed are processed by the TKİ and are put on the market to be used as fuel in cement plants and neighboring cities. The relevant ministry cannot say that this workplace is unlicensed”.

Joint statement by the DİSK, KESK, TMMOB and TTB

Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK), Chamber of Engineers and Architects of Turkey (TMMOB) and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) issued a joint statement on the field where the collapse occurred.

The statement said that the field was reported as "dangerous" by the General Directorate of Mining Affairs (MİGEM) and that this report was sent to the General Directorate of Turkish Coal Enterprise (TKİ) and Şırnak Governorship.

What happened?

Coal Mine No.1 situated on Şırnak Cizre Highway collapsed on October 17.

Seven workers lost their lives in the collapse, one other was heavily wounded. The heavily wounded worker, Sıddık Kabak was 17 years old when he started working at the mine.
In the statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources on the incident, it was said that the operation on the field was halted by the MİGEM in 2013, and the mining works conducted were unlicensed.

As part of the investigation launched by the prosecutor's office, three people including the firm owner detained on October 18 were released on probation on October 20. (TP/TK)