Turkish police detain 25 in mine disaster investigation

Three people were arrested on charges of negligence in the Turkish mining disaster that killed 301 people, a prosecutor said Sunday. The suspects were among 25 people who were taken into custody.

Prosecutor Bekir Sahiner said the three were also charged with the crime of causing the death of more than one person. In a news conference in Soma, where the disaster took place, he said six of those detained have been released.

Company executives — including the president of the executive board — and personnel were among the detained as Turkish officials investigate the mining disaster.

The Dogan news agency said Ramazan Dogru, general manager of the mine owned by Soma Holding, and its operations manager, Akin Celik, were among those detained. It said prosecutors were weighing charges of negligence and contributing to the deaths of more than one person. They questioned five people Sunday, but Dogan did not specify whom.

The rescue operation at the coal mine, in the western town of Soma, ended Saturday after the bodies of the last two workers were carried out, bringing the death toll in Turkey's worst industrial accident to 301.

Another 485 miners either escaped or were rescued since the explosion Tuesday — when a fire sent deadly carbon monoxide coursing through the mine, operated by Soma Madencilik.

A police official told Reuters that local prosecutors were questioning the company employees at a Soma court house. He was unable to give further details.

The accident has triggered protests across Turkey, aimed at mine owners accused of ignoring safety for profit.

Police put the town of Soma on virtual lockdown Saturday, setting up checkpoints and detaining dozens of people to enforce a ban on protests. Security in the town remained tight Sunday.

Government and mining officials have insisted that the disaster was not due to negligence and that the mine was inspected regularly.

The Milliyet newspaper said Saturday it saw a preliminary report by a mine safety expert who went into the Soma mine that suggested smoldering coal caused the mine's roof to collapse. The report said the tunnel's support beams were made of wood, not metal, and that there were not enough carbon monoxide sensors.

Anger has also been aimed at Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government, seen as too close to industry bosses and insensitive in its response. A video emerged of Erdogan on Saturday, during a visit to the beleaguered mining town, in which he seemingly threatens to slap a man for booing him.

Al Jazeera and wire services