On May 17th 2014, we – volunteer students and academicians from Boğaziçi University – headed for the mine region in Soma. Condoling with the people, making them feel they are not alone, giving an ear to them and grasping the reasons of the catastrophe and condition of miners were our main objectives.
We wrote down quite a lot of notes, both individual and technical. Individual notes were inevitable since every single word being said by observers on the number of victims meant “father, husband, son and brother” to Soma. The first thing to do was not dealing with the numbers, reasons or consequences but feeling empathy for the deep sorrow people felt, which is a real heartbreak. Imagine you send off your husband to the mine in the morning. “It is almost done, early retirement is close, I will quit” he says. You have two kids. You have the news that your better half passed away in the evening. His remains are not bearable to look. It may take two or three days to locate the bodies. For which one will you harvest the sorrow; for your loss, for yourself, for your orphans or for the destitution you are being dragged into or for the concerns for your future?
This is a torment affected three provinces, counties and villages at least, which is not only a catastrophe but an impactful and devastating one, whereupon the number of people needing help is also huge.
Before leaving to go to Soma, we heard that entrance to the centre of Soma was forbidden. So we decided to go the countryside and the villages to be with the family of those workers who died and to share their agony.
During the travelling the most important thing that attracted my attention was the area itself. There are forests all around, and the land seems incredibly fruitful. There are a few huge mountains behind those forests. And I asked why people have to work under this fruitful land instead of working on it.
The county that we were going to was Kınık. We went through Savaştepe to reach there. The police stopped us at the entrance of the county and chief of the police told us that he was aware that we were coming. He wished us a good trip and asked if he could do something for us. We said that the state could have humanistic, friendly face, too. Still, we couldn’t trust totally. Aren’t the reasons very obvious?
Then, we came to Soma. From the outside it is a small town situated on the skirts of two mountains. It was far too smaller than I had thought. In the entrance of the town, there were almost 20 police and military police. They stopped every vehicle and they said they would not accept anybody whose birthplace was not Soma or whose license plate was not from Soma. Those were colder, more furious and they saw us as “trouble makers”. How can a government violate people’s constitutional rights? This question sounded meaningless when I remembered that the government is violating the people’s right to live. Yet, we keep questioning.
We passed through Soma with civil police escort till Kınık. While passing through the district, we looked around us, we were not that close, and so nothing was clear much. Streets were empty. Just a few children, men going shopping… Everybody had a funeral, either in his house, or in his neighbor’s house, or in the neighborhood. There was a graveyard at the entrance of the city. It was densely crowded. Could a graveyard be the most crowded place of a city? Unfortunately, yes.
There we saw graves with fresh soil which is still moist. Jugs at the edge of them so that they won’t dry when the tears are finished. We saw bodies taken out of the earth and buried back. And the kids. Those hugging the earth, not getting it, perceiving all these like a game, thinking these will pass… Their dads risked going under the earth. If we left their kids alone, would we have their blessing?
We moved on to Kınık. We warned each other to cover our heads, not to make a noise, and not to smoke. To have a last smoking break, we stopped by the limit of Kınık. People started to gather around us. Mostly men. Old, young ones, boys. Then, young ladies showed up. They asked where we are from. As we said that we are from Boğaziçi University, they were surprised that we came and they thanked. What I heard is as follows:
“Folks, thanks a lot. You’ve come from Istanbul to express your condolences.”
“I am a former left wings, kid. I worked in this mine for years. The point is not taking over, collapsing the government. It can only be done by democracy, though a lot of cheating is there too. I mean, it is full of mistakes, negligence.”
“This is not the destiny, kid. This is not the judgment of Allah. This is murder, deliberately.”
We told the people that we had a short break, and we wanted to listen to everyone at the county square. In this short time even, at least fifty persons came around.
As we got to the square, we were given chairs, tea, and bakery. Everywhere was like funeral home, as the victims were all ours.
As soon as we sat down, a lot of old and young men came around. I spotted to young gentlemen around their 17s. I talked to them. They were not working in the mine, but lost many relatives. Neither was studying. They were enlisted. Information that I got confirmed was that the mining company would never hire the minors. Many of their friends were turned down because of it. I asked their job. “Here and there, working on fields.” they replied. Hearing the explosion, they ran to be of some help. They helped for 3 days, mostly for body identifying. Actually, it was not a rescue but taking bodies out work. Without these young boys, families would have been given their loss later. As if it was not enough with the murdering, rest of the work was neglected as well.
I talked to middle aged men who worked in the mines for years and who survived the accident. I asked them about the reasons of the accident and the safety measures. One of them said: “What safety? There is no safety here. We told them several times that the coal was getting hotter and hotter. If you complain, your supervisor will shout at you. We are already being scolded all the day here while working. If you don’t keep your mouth shut, they threaten you with firing you.”
Some of the people we talked didn’t want to link this accident to politics in any way. Obviously, they were afraid of the government and the state, they were afraid of being suppressed.
The people who joined the rescue efforts told us that the corpses were in a very bad condition, in such a bad condition that they couldn’t recognize their friends or relatives. It has been five days but they told us that there are still miners who haven’t been found, and they don’t know whether their bodies have burned or frozen.
One of the miners said "There is only one entrance to the mine and it is 300 meters under the ground. How could you possibly turn back once you are in? There is no chance."
Here is the most valid scenario about the mine: Ciner Group held this mine until 2005. At that time miners worked under much more humanitarian conditions. Back then, miners were told never to dig some coal stems due to safety reasons. Ciner Group wouldn't let the workers get closer to those restricted fields. Therefore, the company couldn't make any profit and as a result of this, Ciner Group stepped back claiming that they are not volunteer to suffer casualties in order to make profit. Frictions with the government also played a role in that.
A few different companies were put into power until Soma Holding took the charge eventually. Since then, some channels have been dug which weren't to be dig ever. Miners say "It has been known that this was risky from the very beginning. They sent us in consciously."
Also, the working conditions of the workers are quite bad. They tell that they work 8 hours a day. Without a break. “If we have lunch boxes, we can eat. Tea as well. We can’t go out.” They say. Whole day, they were working in a workplace with low oxygen, many illnesses appeared on their bodies. “Mine makes you older at once.” They say. “You decay inside.”
Then, why do they want to work in the mine? Answers from old ladies and gentlemen who worked there for a long time are all the same.
We would farm, we would ranch but the products we cultivated have turned out to worth nothing. Before the tobacco was privatized, after the support of the government was removed, the loss of the money was more than the profit. Stockbreeding did not result in profit, either. We had to descend in the mine. We had to send our children to the mine. We could not send our children to the schools because of the amount of money we earn. Everybody went to the mine because there was guaranteed salary and insurance. Since 2005, this situation has increased. If we did not have to, would we work under such hard conditions? Since we do not go farming, everything means money, food, supermarket; pills of our children mean money. Here boys who do not have a job cannot get married. The young went to the mine to be able to get married. The ones who did not go were under pressure.
The subject is again the time of the event and after the event. The worker who pulls out bodies out of the earth for three days says that:
“I saw it myself. Dead bodies hard like a rock were taken out after they were equipped with oxygen masks. Why? During the explosion, we were 700-800 people there. There are also some who entered the mine to rescue and couldn’t come back. When you add them up, it doesn’t match. For sure, there are some left inside. They are not taking them out, but burying there. If they do, the license of mine will be void, it never opens back.”
I am asking that if there is a loss, isn’t it possible to find it as the families apply? A realistic answer is given.
“So what if they apply? Will you hear it? Will you hear the real number? How? Where will it be published? I am most certain of more death. My folks were there. They are in or out, but dead and hidden.”
A state, both murdering and concealing the bodies. Perfect match for us!
We are asking the workers about the labor unions:
‘Our union is forcing and putting pressure on us instead of supporting us .They and the government are on the company’s side. The company is on the government’s side. The government knows about the places which are supposed to stay closed but were opened. They just send them an inspector but it is very superficial. They call the companies 15 days before they come for an inspection. I, myself, worked during one; the upper floor air-conditioners are prepared for it, also we get prepared for the inspection for 10 days. They come with their suits on, not even go to 5 meters below the surface. They never see where we really work at. Then, they give the company full points.
If everyone is on the Money side, who will be on our (worker’s) side? Is the only responsible person the owner of the company? Will those inspectors, who give full points, not get punished? Will the unions not pay for it? We are asking; without knowing whether there will be an answer or not.
It was very difficult to leave the square with old men who told what happened for long hours. Personally, I said ı should have come before and I should come more often from now on. Young people need to meet their country and listen to each other.
We were divided into four groups; we wanted to visit the houses who has lost their members and offer our condolences. Provincial head of CHP told he could arrange a car for reaching a far village. District governor and the security officers who had been very uncomfortable with our presence since the morning came and rejected the offer. A guy from a village told us he could lead us to the village. We convinced with a great difficulty the governor by making him sure that we would not cause any trouble. However, we had been there since the morning and we had not caused any trouble or created any problems. We had just listened to the people. Maybe the problem was that hearing and listening.
A young man, 33, took us to Elmadere village with his own car. He had a story and a great sorrow.
“After the military service I worked in the same mine, too. However, day by day I understood that I was going to give my life to it, they would make money by exploiting me. When I realized that there was not an end to this, I quit my job there. In this town, you cannot go to school due to poverty, you have to go into the mine due to poverty, you get into debt due to poverty, and you cannot go out of the mine to pay your debts. Here, we are exactly slaves without chains.”
We asked him what he is doing now for living.
“I started by buying a few animals, now I have a small farm. I deliver milk to companies. I improved my business. I am married and have two children” he said. Not everybody can realize the facts like him, even if they realize the opportunities do not allow them. They are not courageous enough. If they are, they cannot do business without support.
He informed us that Elmadere village that we are going is Alaouite Village. After we learnt that we understood why the district government had been uneasy. The village was located on the top of a mountain; the road was old and bad. You can reach the village by passing through green forests, fields and rivers. It was so lively and beautiful… The village has 11 deaths… It sacrificed 11 young people for the mine.
Along our journey he told us the terrible treatment that they had been experienced for many years. Bad treatment from both the people and the government:
“You see this area is mountainous. If we have a sick person up there (the village), it is too late when we take him/her to the town centre to the hospital. There is no hospital, no road here. Nobody invests anything in here. We are destined to death here. However, here dying is a crime, too.”
We could not find anything to say and kept silent.
When we arrived at the village, a large group of children met us. They asked for candies and cakes. They surrounded our car. They were unaware of everything. That seemed like a game for them, many people visiting them, presents given to them...
We, three friends, are just going into one house. To Ms. Senem’s home. A room, a hall at the entrance, and a small kitchen. There is no carpet, only a rug. It is obvious that she doesn’t have any wealth, you know it from the small LPG in the kitchen, clothes around, shoes at the entrance. Despite all her sorrows, she is inviting us in. There are other visitors too. I am sitting next to her, she is holding my hand. Telling me her two children while looking me in the eye. How they had to go. “I would rather eat only bread than send them there.” She says. This is the first time I am feeling the pain this close. A real death, right in the hand of the woman holding my hand. One of her sons was married. He left a young wife and two sons behind. One is 6, the other is 7. Their father promised to buy bike on Friday. Mum is crying; “Will I have them ride on bikes from strangers?”. There is another son who survived just because his shift was not on that day. Grandpa is suffering from Parkinson. Women have no income, no profession. What are they going to do? How will they handle the life without needing others? How will the kids go to school? Will the man go back to the grave of his two brothers?
Ms. Senem is summarizing everything. Uprising silently...
“Whom should I mourn? My sons? I was not enough with them. I couldn’t even sterilize their bodies before the ceremony. Survivors, the left ones? There is bride, two grandsons. Grandpa is ill, he couldn’t take his two sons grief. We took him to the hospital. My survivor son? They call us Alaouite, they discriminate us. We trust in Allah, too. I also pray. We also care people. We are not unfair against people. What is our fault? We feel the pain, too. You cannot distinguish the pain. Look, how many days passed. No one from the state has called, shown up. I may be quite old but till I die, I will demand justice for my sons in Ankara, Istanbul. I don’t want donations. They will not bring my sons back!”
Need to say more?
We salute them, hug them, cry, hug again... We stop by more funeral homes. All mothers looking at the ground, steadily. Maybe, they cannot still believe. The pain has not shown its worst phase yet.
We promise everyone. We will demand justice, we will make you heard...
Necessarily, we are coming back...
We wrote down quite a lot of notes, both individual and technical. Individual notes were inevitable since every single word being said by observers on the number of victims meant “father, husband, son and brother” to Soma. The first thing to do was not dealing with the numbers, reasons or consequences but feeling empathy for the deep sorrow people felt, which is a real heartbreak. Imagine you send off your husband to the mine in the morning. “It is almost done, early retirement is close, I will quit” he says. You have two kids. You have the news that your better half passed away in the evening. His remains are not bearable to look. It may take two or three days to locate the bodies. For which one will you harvest the sorrow; for your loss, for yourself, for your orphans or for the destitution you are being dragged into or for the concerns for your future?
This is a torment affected three provinces, counties and villages at least, which is not only a catastrophe but an impactful and devastating one, whereupon the number of people needing help is also huge.
Before leaving to go to Soma, we heard that entrance to the centre of Soma was forbidden. So we decided to go the countryside and the villages to be with the family of those workers who died and to share their agony.
During the travelling the most important thing that attracted my attention was the area itself. There are forests all around, and the land seems incredibly fruitful. There are a few huge mountains behind those forests. And I asked why people have to work under this fruitful land instead of working on it.
The county that we were going to was Kınık. We went through Savaştepe to reach there. The police stopped us at the entrance of the county and chief of the police told us that he was aware that we were coming. He wished us a good trip and asked if he could do something for us. We said that the state could have humanistic, friendly face, too. Still, we couldn’t trust totally. Aren’t the reasons very obvious?
Then, we came to Soma. From the outside it is a small town situated on the skirts of two mountains. It was far too smaller than I had thought. In the entrance of the town, there were almost 20 police and military police. They stopped every vehicle and they said they would not accept anybody whose birthplace was not Soma or whose license plate was not from Soma. Those were colder, more furious and they saw us as “trouble makers”. How can a government violate people’s constitutional rights? This question sounded meaningless when I remembered that the government is violating the people’s right to live. Yet, we keep questioning.
We passed through Soma with civil police escort till Kınık. While passing through the district, we looked around us, we were not that close, and so nothing was clear much. Streets were empty. Just a few children, men going shopping… Everybody had a funeral, either in his house, or in his neighbor’s house, or in the neighborhood. There was a graveyard at the entrance of the city. It was densely crowded. Could a graveyard be the most crowded place of a city? Unfortunately, yes.
There we saw graves with fresh soil which is still moist. Jugs at the edge of them so that they won’t dry when the tears are finished. We saw bodies taken out of the earth and buried back. And the kids. Those hugging the earth, not getting it, perceiving all these like a game, thinking these will pass… Their dads risked going under the earth. If we left their kids alone, would we have their blessing?
We moved on to Kınık. We warned each other to cover our heads, not to make a noise, and not to smoke. To have a last smoking break, we stopped by the limit of Kınık. People started to gather around us. Mostly men. Old, young ones, boys. Then, young ladies showed up. They asked where we are from. As we said that we are from Boğaziçi University, they were surprised that we came and they thanked. What I heard is as follows:
“Folks, thanks a lot. You’ve come from Istanbul to express your condolences.”
“I am a former left wings, kid. I worked in this mine for years. The point is not taking over, collapsing the government. It can only be done by democracy, though a lot of cheating is there too. I mean, it is full of mistakes, negligence.”
“This is not the destiny, kid. This is not the judgment of Allah. This is murder, deliberately.”
We told the people that we had a short break, and we wanted to listen to everyone at the county square. In this short time even, at least fifty persons came around.
As we got to the square, we were given chairs, tea, and bakery. Everywhere was like funeral home, as the victims were all ours.
As soon as we sat down, a lot of old and young men came around. I spotted to young gentlemen around their 17s. I talked to them. They were not working in the mine, but lost many relatives. Neither was studying. They were enlisted. Information that I got confirmed was that the mining company would never hire the minors. Many of their friends were turned down because of it. I asked their job. “Here and there, working on fields.” they replied. Hearing the explosion, they ran to be of some help. They helped for 3 days, mostly for body identifying. Actually, it was not a rescue but taking bodies out work. Without these young boys, families would have been given their loss later. As if it was not enough with the murdering, rest of the work was neglected as well.
I talked to middle aged men who worked in the mines for years and who survived the accident. I asked them about the reasons of the accident and the safety measures. One of them said: “What safety? There is no safety here. We told them several times that the coal was getting hotter and hotter. If you complain, your supervisor will shout at you. We are already being scolded all the day here while working. If you don’t keep your mouth shut, they threaten you with firing you.”
Some of the people we talked didn’t want to link this accident to politics in any way. Obviously, they were afraid of the government and the state, they were afraid of being suppressed.
The people who joined the rescue efforts told us that the corpses were in a very bad condition, in such a bad condition that they couldn’t recognize their friends or relatives. It has been five days but they told us that there are still miners who haven’t been found, and they don’t know whether their bodies have burned or frozen.
One of the miners said "There is only one entrance to the mine and it is 300 meters under the ground. How could you possibly turn back once you are in? There is no chance."
Here is the most valid scenario about the mine: Ciner Group held this mine until 2005. At that time miners worked under much more humanitarian conditions. Back then, miners were told never to dig some coal stems due to safety reasons. Ciner Group wouldn't let the workers get closer to those restricted fields. Therefore, the company couldn't make any profit and as a result of this, Ciner Group stepped back claiming that they are not volunteer to suffer casualties in order to make profit. Frictions with the government also played a role in that.
A few different companies were put into power until Soma Holding took the charge eventually. Since then, some channels have been dug which weren't to be dig ever. Miners say "It has been known that this was risky from the very beginning. They sent us in consciously."
Also, the working conditions of the workers are quite bad. They tell that they work 8 hours a day. Without a break. “If we have lunch boxes, we can eat. Tea as well. We can’t go out.” They say. Whole day, they were working in a workplace with low oxygen, many illnesses appeared on their bodies. “Mine makes you older at once.” They say. “You decay inside.”
Then, why do they want to work in the mine? Answers from old ladies and gentlemen who worked there for a long time are all the same.
We would farm, we would ranch but the products we cultivated have turned out to worth nothing. Before the tobacco was privatized, after the support of the government was removed, the loss of the money was more than the profit. Stockbreeding did not result in profit, either. We had to descend in the mine. We had to send our children to the mine. We could not send our children to the schools because of the amount of money we earn. Everybody went to the mine because there was guaranteed salary and insurance. Since 2005, this situation has increased. If we did not have to, would we work under such hard conditions? Since we do not go farming, everything means money, food, supermarket; pills of our children mean money. Here boys who do not have a job cannot get married. The young went to the mine to be able to get married. The ones who did not go were under pressure.
The subject is again the time of the event and after the event. The worker who pulls out bodies out of the earth for three days says that:
“I saw it myself. Dead bodies hard like a rock were taken out after they were equipped with oxygen masks. Why? During the explosion, we were 700-800 people there. There are also some who entered the mine to rescue and couldn’t come back. When you add them up, it doesn’t match. For sure, there are some left inside. They are not taking them out, but burying there. If they do, the license of mine will be void, it never opens back.”
I am asking that if there is a loss, isn’t it possible to find it as the families apply? A realistic answer is given.
“So what if they apply? Will you hear it? Will you hear the real number? How? Where will it be published? I am most certain of more death. My folks were there. They are in or out, but dead and hidden.”
A state, both murdering and concealing the bodies. Perfect match for us!
We are asking the workers about the labor unions:
‘Our union is forcing and putting pressure on us instead of supporting us .They and the government are on the company’s side. The company is on the government’s side. The government knows about the places which are supposed to stay closed but were opened. They just send them an inspector but it is very superficial. They call the companies 15 days before they come for an inspection. I, myself, worked during one; the upper floor air-conditioners are prepared for it, also we get prepared for the inspection for 10 days. They come with their suits on, not even go to 5 meters below the surface. They never see where we really work at. Then, they give the company full points.
If everyone is on the Money side, who will be on our (worker’s) side? Is the only responsible person the owner of the company? Will those inspectors, who give full points, not get punished? Will the unions not pay for it? We are asking; without knowing whether there will be an answer or not.
It was very difficult to leave the square with old men who told what happened for long hours. Personally, I said ı should have come before and I should come more often from now on. Young people need to meet their country and listen to each other.
We were divided into four groups; we wanted to visit the houses who has lost their members and offer our condolences. Provincial head of CHP told he could arrange a car for reaching a far village. District governor and the security officers who had been very uncomfortable with our presence since the morning came and rejected the offer. A guy from a village told us he could lead us to the village. We convinced with a great difficulty the governor by making him sure that we would not cause any trouble. However, we had been there since the morning and we had not caused any trouble or created any problems. We had just listened to the people. Maybe the problem was that hearing and listening.
A young man, 33, took us to Elmadere village with his own car. He had a story and a great sorrow.
“After the military service I worked in the same mine, too. However, day by day I understood that I was going to give my life to it, they would make money by exploiting me. When I realized that there was not an end to this, I quit my job there. In this town, you cannot go to school due to poverty, you have to go into the mine due to poverty, you get into debt due to poverty, and you cannot go out of the mine to pay your debts. Here, we are exactly slaves without chains.”
We asked him what he is doing now for living.
“I started by buying a few animals, now I have a small farm. I deliver milk to companies. I improved my business. I am married and have two children” he said. Not everybody can realize the facts like him, even if they realize the opportunities do not allow them. They are not courageous enough. If they are, they cannot do business without support.
He informed us that Elmadere village that we are going is Alaouite Village. After we learnt that we understood why the district government had been uneasy. The village was located on the top of a mountain; the road was old and bad. You can reach the village by passing through green forests, fields and rivers. It was so lively and beautiful… The village has 11 deaths… It sacrificed 11 young people for the mine.
Along our journey he told us the terrible treatment that they had been experienced for many years. Bad treatment from both the people and the government:
“You see this area is mountainous. If we have a sick person up there (the village), it is too late when we take him/her to the town centre to the hospital. There is no hospital, no road here. Nobody invests anything in here. We are destined to death here. However, here dying is a crime, too.”
We could not find anything to say and kept silent.
When we arrived at the village, a large group of children met us. They asked for candies and cakes. They surrounded our car. They were unaware of everything. That seemed like a game for them, many people visiting them, presents given to them...
We, three friends, are just going into one house. To Ms. Senem’s home. A room, a hall at the entrance, and a small kitchen. There is no carpet, only a rug. It is obvious that she doesn’t have any wealth, you know it from the small LPG in the kitchen, clothes around, shoes at the entrance. Despite all her sorrows, she is inviting us in. There are other visitors too. I am sitting next to her, she is holding my hand. Telling me her two children while looking me in the eye. How they had to go. “I would rather eat only bread than send them there.” She says. This is the first time I am feeling the pain this close. A real death, right in the hand of the woman holding my hand. One of her sons was married. He left a young wife and two sons behind. One is 6, the other is 7. Their father promised to buy bike on Friday. Mum is crying; “Will I have them ride on bikes from strangers?”. There is another son who survived just because his shift was not on that day. Grandpa is suffering from Parkinson. Women have no income, no profession. What are they going to do? How will they handle the life without needing others? How will the kids go to school? Will the man go back to the grave of his two brothers?
Ms. Senem is summarizing everything. Uprising silently...
“Whom should I mourn? My sons? I was not enough with them. I couldn’t even sterilize their bodies before the ceremony. Survivors, the left ones? There is bride, two grandsons. Grandpa is ill, he couldn’t take his two sons grief. We took him to the hospital. My survivor son? They call us Alaouite, they discriminate us. We trust in Allah, too. I also pray. We also care people. We are not unfair against people. What is our fault? We feel the pain, too. You cannot distinguish the pain. Look, how many days passed. No one from the state has called, shown up. I may be quite old but till I die, I will demand justice for my sons in Ankara, Istanbul. I don’t want donations. They will not bring my sons back!”
Need to say more?
We salute them, hug them, cry, hug again... We stop by more funeral homes. All mothers looking at the ground, steadily. Maybe, they cannot still believe. The pain has not shown its worst phase yet.
We promise everyone. We will demand justice, we will make you heard...
Necessarily, we are coming back...