SIIRT — 2016 · Major Tragedy
Şirvan Copper Mine Landslide
At around 20:30 on the evening of 17 November 2016, a major landslide struck the open-pit copper mine at Madenköy in the Şirvan district of Siirt. Workers employed by a subcontractor at the site, owned by Park Elektrik, were buried under roughly one million cubic metres of earth and rock. Sixteen workers died. Search and rescue operations lasted 25 days because of the difficult ground conditions. An expert report found that signs of a landslide had been observed at the site a month earlier and a warning issued, yet the necessary precautions had not been taken. The open-pit manager was arrested and a case was opened against those responsible. The disaster revived debate in Turkey over occupational safety in mining and subcontracted labour conditions.
- Date
- 2016
- Place
- Şirvan, Siirt
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 38.1000, 41.9800 ↗
Timeline of Events
- October 2016Signs of a landslide are observed and a warning issued
- 17 November 2016A landslide strikes the open pit in the evening
- December 2016The 25-day search ends; 16 workers are confirmed dead
- AftermathAn expert report finds precautions were not taken; the open-pit manager is arrested
Sources
- Vikipedi — Şirvan maden kazası tr.wikipedia.org ↗
- Anadolu Ajansı — Şirvan'da maden ocağındaki göçükte işçiler hayatını kaybetti aa.com.tr ↗
- CNN Türk — Siirt Şirvan'da maden faciası cnnturk.com ↗
- Wikipedia (TR)
- Anadolu Agency
- CNN Türk
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.