After 3 years, verdict announced in Türkiye’s Amasra mine blast that killed 43
Following the verdict, families and their lawyers protested inside the courthouse, with demonstrations continuing outside. (IHA Photo)
A Turkish court issued its verdict in the trial concerning the fatal mine explosion that claimed the lives of 43 miners in Amasra, Türkiye.
The Bartin Heavy Penal Court sentenced 20 defendants to prison terms ranging from three years and one month to 17 years for “reckless manslaughter resulting in multiple deaths and injuries,” while acquitting three others.
Families react with outrage
The decision sparked an emotional reaction outside the courthouse, with grieving families expressing their disappointment and frustration. “Justice is dead in this country. We want real justice,” one relative cried.
Another distraught mother, who lost her 22-year-old son in the explosion, asked, “Where is justice for my child?”
Security tight as court announces sentences
The 12th hearing took place in a specially designated courtroom within Bartin Courthouse, under heavy security measures. Both detained and non-detained defendants, as well as victims’ families and lawyers, attended the session.
Before the verdict, the presiding judge asked the defendants for their final statements. The accused denied responsibility, requesting acquittal. Defense lawyers argued that witness testimonies proved there was no production pressure and called for the release of the detained defendants and the acquittal of others.
Sentences for senior officials
The court handed down significant prison terms to four key figures in the disaster:
- Cihat Ozdemir (Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises, Amasra Institution director) – 16 years and 12 months
- Selcuk Ekmekci (Operations manager) – 16 years and six months
- Mehmet Tural (Chief engineer of operations) – 16 years and six months
- Volkan Soylu (Chief of occupational safety and training) – 15 years
Sixteen additional defendants received sentences ranging from three years and one month to nine years, while all defendants were placed under an international travel ban.
Prosecutor’s case: Safety failures led to disaster
In its indictment, the prosecution highlighted major safety lapses as key factors behind the explosion. Investigators found that the accused ignored critical issues, including:
- Inadequate ventilation
- Failure to manage methane drainage
- Lack of coal dust mitigation
- Insufficient technical staff
- Deficient safety training and emergency drills
The prosecution argued that the defendants had knowingly continued hazardous mining activities despite being aware of the life-threatening risks. Initially, prosecutors had sought prison terms of up to 1,050 years for four primary suspects under charges of “willful murder.”
A disaster that shook Türkiye
The explosion occurred on Oct. 14, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. in a coal mine operated by Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK) in Amasra. Forty-one workers died instantly, with two more succumbing to injuries in the following months. Eleven others were injured.
Following an extensive investigation, authorities detained 24 individuals, including top officials from the TTK Amasra Institution. While some were released under judicial control, eight key figures were initially held in custody. Over time, multiple defendants were granted release under house arrest or travel restrictions.
