10th anniversary of the Soma disaster: We will not let it be forgotten
The 301 miners who lost their lives in the mining disaster that occurred 10 years ago in the Soma district of Manisa were commemorated. Relatives of the deceased miners, KESK, TMMOB, the Medical Chamber, political parties, and democratic mass organizations attended the memorial ceremony.
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On May 13, 2014, 301 workers lost their lives in a mining disaster that occurred in the Soma district of Manisa.
While lawsuits regarding the disaster continue, the government avoids facing the scale of the tragedy.
According to a report in Birgün, a memorial was held on the tenth anniversary of the Soma Massacre, in which 301 miners lost their lives.
The memorial, which took place in front of the Soma Beşyol Miners' Monument, was attended by relatives of the miners who lost their lives in the massacre, KESK, TMMOB, the Medical Chamber, political parties, and democratic mass organizations.
At the memorial ceremony, miners' families demanded the nationalization of mines and the banning of subcontracted labor to ensure that new Somas do not occur.
Mustafa Sabur read the press statement on behalf of the Soma Labor and Democracy Forces at the memorial.
In his statement, Sabur said, "It was 10 years ago; 301 lives were massacred due to occupational health and safety measures that were not taken out of a greed for more profit, without planning or calculation.. 162 workers were injured. 255 women lost their husbands, 440 children were left fatherless, and 301 mothers and fathers were left without children. The pain of Soma became one of the greatest worker massacres in the history of the Republic and in the world.
We respectfully commemorate Tahir Çetin, Chairman of the Independent Miners' Union, and miner Ali Faik İnter, who fought for rights in the struggle of the 301 massacred miners and in the organization of miners."
"MINERS CONTINUE TO DIE"
Sabur said, "Miners continue to die in their workplaces," and added:
"On October 8, 2014, 18 mine workers in Ermenek, on November 17, 2016, 16 mine workers in Şirvan, on October 14, 2022, 42 mine workers in Amasra, and on February 12, 2024, 9 mine workers in İliç lost their lives.
The 28 public officials who were sued in connection with the 2014 mining disaster, in which 301 workers lost their lives, and who were accused of 'misconduct in office,' could only be brought before a judge 10 years later. The first hearing was held at the Soma Criminal Court of First Instance on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The case was adjourned to September 12, 2024. This case is of great importance for ensuring that necessary precautions are taken in mines and that inspections are carried out regularly. Following this case is important to prevent further deaths. We invite everyone to the hearing to be held on September 12, 2024.
On the 10th anniversary of losing our 301 lives, we have come together to say 'Enough is enough' so that no new pains are experienced and our hearts do not burn. We are raising our voices together. We have not forgotten Soma, and we will not let it be forgotten."