Soma mine disaster

The first hearing into the Soma mine disaster, in which 301 workers were killed, is set to be held on April 13 after a Manisa court accepted the indictment of charges against 45 suspects.

The case will be heard by the Akhisar Court of Serious Crimes. There will be no time limit for the hearing.

With its ups and downs, 2014 in Turkey was an unforgettable year in terms of deadly accidents that could have all been prevented if necessary precautions had been taken in time. Ranging from mine accidents to migrant deaths at sea, those have assumed a place in the country's long list of ignominious fatal accidents.

2014 was a “deadly” year for Turkey and for the country’s workers. Fatal mining and construction accidents left hundreds of workers dead and big scars for their families as well as in our memories.

Three Turkish workers have been killed due to a collapse at a tunnel construction site on a highway near Arbil.

The construction of a portion of the highway between Arbil and Salahaddin is being done by a Turkish company.

The Turkish Parliament has finally approved the International Labor Organization (ILO) convention on safety and health in mining, following debates after the recent Soma and Ermenek mining disasters.

More than 2,800 miners have been laid off in the Aegean coal capital of Soma, hit by the deadliest mining accident of Turkey's history.

The Soma Coal Mining Company, which operates the Eynez mine where 301 workers were killed in May, stated that its contract with Turkish Coal Enterprises expired in May 2014 and the contracts of 2,831 miners had been canceled as of Nov. 30.

A mausoleum project prepared for 301 miners who were killed in the country’s deadliest-ever mining accident in May in Soma will be constructed by the end of the year.

Graves for 86 workers who were killed in separate mine accidents in Soma in the past will also be placed in the mausoleum, along with the ones for the 301 miners.

Dozens of workers from the mining town of Soma began a march to the Turkish capital of Ankara on Oct. 28 to protest the fact that they have not been paid their wages.

Workers employed at the disaster-struck Eynez Mine, where a mining accident claimed the lives of 301 workers in May, said the authorities had not keep their promises following the tragedy.

Some 974 of a total 1,800 construction projects were halted following inspections made after deadly accidents in the sector in October, according to sources from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.