CHP leader urges retrial for Soma disaster at its 10th aniversary

CHP leader Özgür Özel called visited Soma, Manisa for the 10th anniversary of Türkiye’s deadliest mining disaster at Eynez Quarry. (Photo: CHP)

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Türkiye’s deadliest mining disaster in Soma, Manisa, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel paid homage to the victims and their families. Emphasizing the need for justice, Özel urged for a retrial to unveil all responsible parties, asserting that true justice for Soma remains elusive until every aspect of the tragedy is thoroughly investigated.

CHP leader emphasized that “true justice cannot be achieved until every aspect of the tragedy is thoroughly examined, including the intricate web of relationships” that may have contributed to the disaster.

The Eynez Quarry mining disaster on May 13, 2014, claimed the lives of 301 miners and left 162 workers injured.

Despite an official report identifying negligence within the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Social Security, the trial spanned eight years, resulting in only minor officials receiving sentences, all of whom were eventually released. The report highlighted various shortcomings, including production excesses, failure to maintain ventilators, and the absence of a proper alarm system.

While no defendants remain in custody, two lawyers advocating for the miners and their families, Selçuk Kozağaçlı and Can Atalay, are currently detained. Atalay’s detainment, particularly following his parliamentary election in May, has sparked considerable political debate, leading to his parliamentary status being revoked in January.

Özel criticized the judicial process, underscoring the necessity of a retrial for the Soma case and the importance of holding all responsible individuals accountable.