The 301 miners who lost their lives in what was the worst mine disaster in Turkey's history on May 13, 2014 have been commemorated by their graves today. This year the anniversary of the massacre coincided with the Ramadan feast, on which occasion the families visited the cemetery with prayers and carnations.

Soma 301 Miners Association head İsmail Çolak made a statement on behalf of the families gathered in the cemetery where a massive gathering was not allowed due to the pandemic restrictions.

Çolak pointed out that the demands for justice have not been met. "We cannot explain what kind of anger we felt as we heard the court rulings "acquittal and release". We even saw how our lawyers were put behind bars,” he said.

'GOVERNMENT AND CAPITAL UNITED’

Reminding that the suspects were released by the judiciary, Çolak emphasized that the court decision is an indication of the unity of the government and the capital. “The court verdict means that the workers can simply die. We say once again that Soma is a massacre and workers fall victim to work-related murders in this country. This country has been turned into a huge human graveyard.”

The Independent Mine Workers Union also issued a statement and opened a banner that read “We have not forgotten the 301, nor will we let it be forgotten” in front of the Miners Monument in the district. Resul Demir, secretary general of the union, stressed that they will never forget the then Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan’s remarks ‘It is the nature of this work to die’ and Yusuf Yerkel, who kicked a miner on the ground.