They are charged with willful bodily harm and willful manslaughter. Last week, 24 suspects had already been arrested, of whom 16 have been released.
The disaster happened on October 14 at a coal mine in the northern Turkish province of Bartin, about 300 kilometers northeast of the capital Ankara. Numerous miners were trapped or killed as a result of an explosion at a depth of 300 meters. In addition to the 41 dead, 11 miners were also injured.
A preliminary report found that negligence – including failure to address reported gas leaks and ventilation issues – could be identified as the likely cause of the explosion.
It was one of the worst industrial accidents in the country’s recent history. The plant is one of five state mines in Turkey.
(SDA)