Winter shift in Erzurum: One thousand graves dug in advance
In Erzurum, where temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius during the winter months, hundreds of winter graves have been dug by the Cemetery Services Directorate teams as part of efforts carried out before the snowfall begins. The excavations at the Abdurrahman Gazi Cemetery in the Palandöken district were carried out through the dedicated work of construction machinery and municipal workers.
İHA
At the Abdurrahman Gazi Cemetery located in the Palandöken district of Erzurum, graves opened by municipal workers using excavators were leveled throughout the day with picks and shovels, making them ready before the start of the winter season.
Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Sekmen stated that these efforts, initiated to prevent potential difficulties during the winter months, are being carried out with great diligence. Mayor Sekmen said, "In Erzurum, where even the soil freezes in winter, we work with great devotion so that the public does not suffer. In January, February, and March, the frozen soil becomes as hard as stone. Nearly a meter of snow falls in winter on the cemetery, which is located at the foot of the Palandöken mountains. We can only dig graves with the help of a compressor. To avoid these problems, we make certain preparations in the autumn and dig graves for single, double, triple, and quadruple occupancy. We have dug one thousand grave sites for this winter. We do not fear the winter. If someone who has a family plot passes away, we dig it on the same day. It is difficult, but we fulfill our duty."
Worker Salim Uğur stated that they are content to dig 10 graves in the summer months and have to struggle with snow in the winter. He noted that one thousand graves were dug in advance as part of winter preparations in Erzurum. Uğur remarked, "We deal with grave and cleaning work here. We fight against snow. We prepare nearly one thousand graves just for the winter season. There is a lot of frost in winter. It is difficult to dig. We are preparing them now. After the snow on top is removed, the burial takes place. We also intervene from below with compressors to break the soil. Our job is very difficult."