Rescue op for missing workers continues in Erzincan

Intense rescue operations and investigation continue on the fourth day of the devastating landslide at Erzincan’s gold mine

Nine miners remain trapped as rescue efforts continue on the fourth day following a devastating landslide at a gold mine in Erzincan’s Ilic district. The authorities mobilized a massive response effort following the disaster that occurred on Feb.13. 

Professor Dr. Mustafa Kumral, dean of the faculty of mines at Istanbul Technical University visited the site.

“A significant landslide has occurred, covering an area approximately 800 meters in length, 30 meters deep and 50 meters wide,” he said, conveying the gravity of the incident. 

Efforts are hindered by the ongoing landslide risk and the presence of hazardous materials such as cyanide, though Kumral assured that the threat of atmospheric contamination is not a concern at present.

Ministry of Energy and Natural Resource Minister Alparslan Bayraktar reported that the landslide involved a staggering 400,000 truckloads of soil. The scale of the disaster has prompted a comprehensive investigation, with the arrest of eight individuals, including the Canadian executive of the operating company, Anagold Madencilik.

In a distressing development, Madencilik’s decision to post a job listing amidst the ongoing crisis has sparked public outrage, though the advertisement was quickly retracted.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya providing an update on the rescue operations, disclosed that 827 personnel equipped with advanced technology, including drones and radars, have been deployed to locate the trapped miners. The names of seven out of the nine missing workers have been released, heightening the emotional toll on the families and community.

The seriousness of the situation was underlined by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement from Cairo, which emphasized the government’s commitment to the rescue efforts until the miners are found.

The disaster has also brought to light a series of severe negligence issues that were overlooked for months. The spotlight is on the significant neglect at the mine, where routine inspections on the morning of the disaster identified a breach in the area of residual soil accumulation. Yet, no effective action was taken in time to prevent the ensuing catastrophe. This oversight is seen as a critical flaw, particularly in the absence of precautionary measures to prevent cyanide-laden soil from entering nearby water sources, including the Euphrates River.

In the meantime, the concern about environmental impact remains paramount. The government has taken preventive measures to avoid contamination of the Euphrates River, and ongoing assessments are being conducted to monitor any potential sources of pollution.

Source: Newsroom