Collapse at a private coal mine

According to the information obtained, the incident occurred around 21:00 at a private mine operated by the Akkurt Mining Company in the Ayiçi neighborhood of the Gelik town in Kilimli district.

Rescue efforts for the miners, identified as Erdem Yıldız and Murat Çetinkaya, who were trapped under the collapse, were first initiated by their colleagues. Upon notification of the collapse, rescue teams from the Turkish Hard Coal Authority (TTK), as well as AFAD, gendarmerie, and medical teams, were dispatched to the scene.

AFAD and rescue teams began efforts to save the two workers trapped in the collapse. Approximately one and a half hours after the incident, Erdem Yıldız was rescued alive by the teams and brought to the surface.

Following initial intervention, Yıldız was transported by ambulance to Atatürk State Hospital.

"WE KNOW OUR OTHER WORKER IS ALSO ALIVE, WE HAVE HEARD HIS VOICE"

Meanwhile, Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, TTK General Manager Muharrem Kiraz, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Cezmi Yalınkılıç, and Provincial AFAD Director Ahmet Güngör arrived at the mine and received information about the collapse from company official Alaaddin Kurnaz.

In his statement to reporters, Governor Hacıbektaşoğlu said:

“Dear friends, get well soon. A collapse occurred around 21:00 in a section where two workers were operating during a shift involving 35 workers in the Ayiçi neighborhood of Gelik town, Kilimli district. It was reported to the authorities around 21:30.

AFAD, medical teams, and Turkish Hard Coal Authority rescue teams were dispatched to the scene. One of our two miner friends has been brought out alive and conscious.

We know that our other worker is also alive and we have heard his voice. Currently, two of our workers were exposed to the collapse while their other colleagues were on shift. Work is underway. Reinforcements have been brought in from outside. All our rescue teams are here. We hope they will reach him soon. For now, we hope our other worker will also be rescued safe and sound,” he said.

News Source: İHA