| Author (Corporate) | BBC |
|---|---|
| Series Title | BBC News |
| Series Details | 13.05.14 |
| Publication Date | 13/05/2014 |
| Content Type | News |
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Hundreds were reported to be trapped underground at the coal mine in Soma, Turkey in May 2014 after an explosion and fire. Reports on the 14 May 2014 stated that at least 205 people had been killed, while rescuers were hunting desperately for scores of Turkish coal miners still missing. Turkey's biggest trade union, KESK, said it planned to strike after the devastating mine fire and collapse, as it blamed privatisation for the disaster. Turkey’s prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared three days of national mourning in the wake of the tragedy. However, his statement on the country's mine safety record sparked further controversy. Thousands of people gathered in Istanbul and Ankara on the 14 May 2014 to demonstrate against the government. They blamed the AKP's privatisation policy for the workers' deaths. Commentators saw it as a sign of democratic immaturity that the government ignored deficits on site, and predicted that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would face another trial of strength. By the 19 May 2014 Milliyet was quoting the confirmed dead at over three hundred. |
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| Source Link | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27400283 |
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| Countries / Regions | Turkey |
