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Turkish mine disaster: Soma firm denies negligence | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The operator of the Turkish mine that collapsed, killing at least 284 people, has denied any negligence. | The operator of the Turkish mine that collapsed, killing at least 284 people, has denied any negligence. |
Representatives from Soma Holding defended their response to the disaster, telling a news conference their priority had been to save lives. | Representatives from Soma Holding defended their response to the disaster, telling a news conference their priority had been to save lives. |
They added that an unexplained build-up of heat in the mine appeared to have caused the collapse. | They added that an unexplained build-up of heat in the mine appeared to have caused the collapse. |
Meanwhile, riot police are using water cannon to disperse several thousand protesters in Soma. | Meanwhile, riot police are using water cannon to disperse several thousand protesters in Soma. |
They are trying to break up what had appeared to be a peaceful demonstration, with protesters chanting in support of the miners, reports the BBC's James Reynolds from the scene. | They are trying to break up what had appeared to be a peaceful demonstration, with protesters chanting in support of the miners, reports the BBC's James Reynolds from the scene. |
There have been angry anti-government protests across the country for the last three days over what has become Turkey's worst-ever mine disaster. | There have been angry anti-government protests across the country for the last three days over what has become Turkey's worst-ever mine disaster. |
Up to 18 workers are believed to be still trapped inside the mine, according to Turkish ministers and Soma Holding. It is not clear if the men are still alive. | Up to 18 workers are believed to be still trapped inside the mine, according to Turkish ministers and Soma Holding. It is not clear if the men are still alive. |
Another 363 escaped, while 122 are injured. | Another 363 escaped, while 122 are injured. |
The disaster began when an explosion on Tuesday sent carbon monoxide gas into the mine's tunnels while 787 miners were underground. | The disaster began when an explosion on Tuesday sent carbon monoxide gas into the mine's tunnels while 787 miners were underground. |
Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that a fire was still burning inside the mine, but it was "declining". | Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that a fire was still burning inside the mine, but it was "declining". |
Anyone negligent about safety at the mine would be punished, he said, adding: "We won't take any notice of their tears". | Anyone negligent about safety at the mine would be punished, he said, adding: "We won't take any notice of their tears". |
'We want answers' | 'We want answers' |
Speaking to journalists, plant manager Akin Celik said: "We still do not know how the accident happened. There is no negligence of ours in this incident." | Speaking to journalists, plant manager Akin Celik said: "We still do not know how the accident happened. There is no negligence of ours in this incident." |
"We want to find answers as well. We have never faced such conditions, such circumstances. We haven't slept for three days because we're first trying to save lives." | "We want to find answers as well. We have never faced such conditions, such circumstances. We haven't slept for three days because we're first trying to save lives." |
Soma Holding executives said it was not clear what caused the explosion and collapse. | Soma Holding executives said it was not clear what caused the explosion and collapse. |
However, General Director Ramazan Dogru said reports that the fire began at a transformer were wrong. | However, General Director Ramazan Dogru said reports that the fire began at a transformer were wrong. |
"Overheating led to a collapse" at another part of the mine, he said, adding that this caused a fire which rapidly expanded. He said it was not clear why the overheating had occurred. | "Overheating led to a collapse" at another part of the mine, he said, adding that this caused a fire which rapidly expanded. He said it was not clear why the overheating had occurred. |
Much of the news conference focused on whether the mine had rescue chambers - safe rooms where miners can take refuge for an extended period of time. | Much of the news conference focused on whether the mine had rescue chambers - safe rooms where miners can take refuge for an extended period of time. |
Mining officials said an existing rescue chamber at the mine's upper levels had been disassembled as production there had stopped, and work on a rescue chamber at the lower section was under way. | Mining officials said an existing rescue chamber at the mine's upper levels had been disassembled as production there had stopped, and work on a rescue chamber at the lower section was under way. |
Rescue chambers were not a legal requirement, and the mine had an escape route for workers, they added. | Rescue chambers were not a legal requirement, and the mine had an escape route for workers, they added. |
Company chief Alp Gurkan said he was "saddened" by the disaster, and that he "couldn't believe what [he] was hearing" when he heard the news. | Company chief Alp Gurkan said he was "saddened" by the disaster, and that he "couldn't believe what [he] was hearing" when he heard the news. |
"All the high-level mining experts in Turkey have seen this as the safest mine. We have difficulty in understanding how this event has happened," he said. | "All the high-level mining experts in Turkey have seen this as the safest mine. We have difficulty in understanding how this event has happened," he said. |
Assault allegations | Assault allegations |
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been criticised for being insensitive in his reaction to the disaster, by appearing to suggest that it was a fact of life. | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been criticised for being insensitive in his reaction to the disaster, by appearing to suggest that it was a fact of life. |
His aide Yusuf Yerkel made headlines on Thursday when photos emerged of him appearing to kick a protester in Soma. | His aide Yusuf Yerkel made headlines on Thursday when photos emerged of him appearing to kick a protester in Soma. |
Later pictures of Mr Erdogan appearing to slap a protester in a local supermarket were also shown in the Turkish media. | Later pictures of Mr Erdogan appearing to slap a protester in a local supermarket were also shown in the Turkish media. |
In an interview with the BBC, the deputy chairman of Turkey's governing Justice and Development Party Huseyin Celik said Mr Yerkel "was apparently overwhelmed by his emotions" and had been attacked by a protester. | In an interview with the BBC, the deputy chairman of Turkey's governing Justice and Development Party Huseyin Celik said Mr Yerkel "was apparently overwhelmed by his emotions" and had been attacked by a protester. |
The government did not approve of Mr Yerkel's actions, he said. | The government did not approve of Mr Yerkel's actions, he said. |
He said the accusation against Mr Erdogan was an example of people "making such claims to increase tension in the country". | He said the accusation against Mr Erdogan was an example of people "making such claims to increase tension in the country". |
The Soma mine was privatised in 2005. The government has been accused of rejecting a recent proposal for an inquiry into mine accidents, but officials say the Soma mine was subject to regular inspections, most recently in March. | The Soma mine was privatised in 2005. The government has been accused of rejecting a recent proposal for an inquiry into mine accidents, but officials say the Soma mine was subject to regular inspections, most recently in March. |
Are you in Soma or the wider region? What are your thoughts on the disaster? You can send us your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Turkey". | Are you in Soma or the wider region? What are your thoughts on the disaster? You can send us your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Turkey". |