Turkey coal mine explosion kills three in Zonguldak

A firedamp (methane gas) explosion at a private coal mine in the Gelik district of Zonguldak, Turkey, resulted in the deaths of three miners: Cengizhan Bükrübaş, Murat Kaya, and Recep Çolakoğlu. The incident occurred around 10:00 local time on Friday, October 23, 2026, at a facility operated by Demir Madencilik A.Ş.

Eight workers were underground at the time of the blast. Following rescue operations by AFAD and local emergency services, all workers were recovered. In addition to the three fatalities, five miners were injured, two of whom were intubated due to severe burns and transferred to a hospital in Ankara for critical care.

A judicial investigation has been launched by the Zonguldak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Three individuals—the company owner (M.S.D.), an occupational health and safety expert (E.Y.), and a mining engineer (Y.Ç.)—have been arrested on charges of negligent homicide and injury. An arrest warrant has also been issued for the fugitive mine manager (M.K.).