Investigation deepens to find cause of mine blast

The investigation into the death of 41 miners in a methane explosion that occurred in a coal mine in the Black Sea province of Bartın continues, with a special team consisting of expert personnel being appointed to work on the probe.

"Within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Bartın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office following the mining accident and in which six public prosecutors and four inspectors from the Justice Ministry took charge, all search and seizure procedures were completed with a special team of expert personnel," the local police department said in a statement.

The lists of the mine workers, shift hours, methane gas measuring devices and the devices that monitored underground mine workers were seized.

In addition, statements of the manager, assistant managers, technical managers and headworkers will also be taken as suspects.

The statements of the workers who were in the mine at the time of the explosion will be consulted.

"This incident will be investigated in all its aspects and will be clarified. The answers to all the questions in the minds will be revealed as a result of this investigation. The aim is to reveal the material truth in all its reality," Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said.

"If there is any negligence, fault or deficiency, who or whom it is caused by, the law will do what is necessary for them. No one should be worried or hesitant about it," he added.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will coordinate the work in the field with forensic medicine experts, according to the minister.

Meanwhile, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez said the fire in the mine was largely brought under control as the ministry expanded the investigation team, consisting of...