ZONGULDAK — 1992 · Major Tragedy
Kozlu Firedamp Disaster
On the evening of 3 March 1992, a chain of firedamp (methane) explosions at the state-run Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise mine in Kozlu killed 263 miners, making it Turkey's deadliest mining disaster. An underground fire that followed could not be brought under control and the mine was sealed. The inquiry, which relied largely on survivors' testimony, could not fully establish the causes. Engineers' chambers and unions argued that warnings had been ignored and production pressure had outweighed safety. 3 March has since been commemorated as a day of struggle against workplace deaths.
- Date
- 1992
- Place
- Kozlu, Zonguldak
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 41.4300, 31.7400 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 3 March 1992Chain firedamp explosions occurred in the Kozlu mine.
- March 1992The underground fire could not be extinguished; the mine was sealed.
- 1990sThe inquiry into the causes reached no definitive conclusion.
- Later years3 March became a day of remembrance for workplace deaths.
Sources
- TMMOB Maden Mühendisleri Odası — 3 Mart 1992 Kozlu Grizu Faciası maden.org.tr ↗
- Hürriyet — 263 madencinin öldüğü Kozlu faciasının yıl dönümü hurriyet.com.tr ↗
- Chamber of Mining Engineers (TMMOB)
- Hürriyet
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.