Four arrested for the avalanche in Türkiye with nine workers missing

After the mining tragedy in Turkey, four individuals were apprehended on Wednesday, including the mine director, in connection with the accident. The incident, which claimed the lives of at least nine workers, has now escalated into an environmental crisis, as there is a concern about toxic substances being released into the Euphrates River. While the Turkish state television TRT reported the arrests, further details remain scarce.

Located near the Bagistas reservoir, around 90 kilometers from Erzincan, a city in eastern Turkey, the collapse occurred in an open pit mine. The search operation for the missing workers involves more than 800 individuals but is being hampered by heavy rain and the presence of cyanide and other hazardous chemicals. The catastrophe has gained international attention, as a landslide comprising 10 million cubic meters of contaminated soil poses a risk of further avalanches and pollution in the river that passes through Syria and Iraq.

Deniz Yavuzyilmaz, the vice president of the opposition party CHP, criticized the crisis management and emphasized the international ramifications of the situation. He highlighted the contamination of groundwater by toxic substances combined with chemical waste due to rainfall. Yavuzyilmaz raised concerns about the transboundary impact, stating that these polluted waters not only affect Turkey but also reach Syria and Iraq. Furthermore, he pointed out the rupture of cyanide pipes in the affected area and the presence of a seismic fault beneath the mine. Other experts also assert that the disaster could have been foreseen considering the mine’s location in an area prone to rainfall and tectonic activity.

Details regarding the mine’s operating company

The mine, which has faced repeated demands for closure from local residents due to its perilous nature, has been operational since December 2010. It is operated by Anagold Company, with 80% ownership by Canada’s SSR Mining and 20% ownership by the Turkish group Çalik. The Çalik holding company, renowned as one of Turkey’s largest industrial conglomerates, is believed to have close ties with the Islamist AKP party and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Earlier in June 2022, a spill occurred, resulting in the mixture of tons of cyanide solution with soil. The company’s operations were halted for three months following the incident. However, after paying a fine, the company was permitted to resume operations in a wider area.