Minister Bayraktar's statement on search and rescue efforts: 'We need God to look upon us'

On February 13, 9 workers were trapped under a landslide that occurred at the mining site operated by Anagold Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. in the İliç district of Erzincan.

While search and rescue efforts for the trapped workers continue, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar provided information on the latest situation.

Making a statement to journalists at the mining site accompanied by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya and other officials, Bayraktar stated that they observed the mass formed after the landslide flowing into 3 separate points: the current location, the stream bed, and the manganese mine at the rear.

Emphasizing that the most important issue in the coordination process during meetings with relevant institutions was identifying the area where the soil mass would be transported and preparing it, Minister Bayraktar said, "This area has begun to be evacuated. The search activity is continuing with intense effort, great sacrifice, and harmony."

"WE NEED GOD TO LOOK UPON US"

"From the very first moment, our state has been here with all its relevant institutions. Today, we are holding this meeting with you in the field for the first time," said Bayraktar, adding the following:

"In fact, this area has begun to be evacuated. There is a major operation underway regarding the search activity. We need God to look upon us. There were measures that needed to be taken here regarding the environment. Water and soil samples came back clean. We have to remove all of the soil here.

There is currently nothing here that would harm public health. We hope to achieve a result regarding the search activity.

The environmental permit has been completely revoked here. Essentially, it is not possible for a mine without an operating permit to function. Currently, the conditions under which the environmental permit was granted have disappeared."

News Source: AA