Mining accident spurs protests in Turkey

A coal mine fire and collapse on May 13 near the city of Soma in western Turkey’s Manisa Province resulted in 301 deaths and 122 injuries. It was the worst mine accident in the country’s history.

Angered at what was perceived as a slow and unsympathetic government response, thousands of protesters gathered in Soma, Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul. On May 15, Turkish trade unions held a one-day solidarity strike. The incident has revived anger against the government, which endured large protests in May 2013 over its redevelopment plans for Gezi Park in Istanbul, protests which spread across the nation.

Police arrested 25 employees of Soma Holding on charges of causing death and injuries due to negligence.