National strike erupts across Turkey as coal mine death toll rises

Three days of national mourning began on Thursday as the coal mine death toll rises to at least 282.

17:21 15 May 2014

Hundreds of protesters have marched across cities in Turkey as the coal mine death toll rises to at least 282, making it the worst mining disaster in Turkish history. 

 

Unions have staged a one-day nationwide strikes due to what they say poor safety standards of facilities that are leased by the government to private companies. 

 

On Thursday, eight more bodies were recovered; however the recovery operation is hindered by blaze raging inside the mine as confirmed by Energy Minister Taner Yildiz. 

 

Meanwhile, Turkish police has responded to the protests by firing tear gas and by using water canons to combat the violence that was breaking out. 

 

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was heckled as he visited the town. Commenting about the incident, he said that accidents happen in workplace and it is ordinary. "These are ordinary things. There is a thing in literature called `work accident'... It happens in other work places, too." He was forced to seek refuge in the supermarket as protesters angrily called him “murderer!” and “thief.”

 

Tensions are still running high as hundreds of relatives and miners wait outside the entrance hoping for a miracle. Hundreds of women can be seen uncontrollably crying while men knelt sobbing.