17.02.2026 18:22
It has been revealed that 60-year-old Ziya Kiret, one of the miners who lost his life in the collapse at the mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak, continued to work in the mine despite being retired to cover the expenses of his daughter who is studying at university.
In the Kilimli district of Zonguldak, the miners Ziya Kiret (60) and Veysel Oruçoğlu (46), who lost their lives in a collapse at a private mine, were buried. It was learned that Kiret continued to work in the mine despite being retired to cover the expenses of his daughter who is studying at university. Oruçoğlu, on the other hand, was reported to have 2 years left until his retirement.
A collapse occurred yesterday around 14:00 in a licensed private coal mine located in the Dağbaca area of the Gelik town of Kilimli. During cleaning and maintenance work, three workers who were trying to repair a previous collapse in the ventilation shaft were trapped under a new collapse. Upon notification, rescue teams affiliated with the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK), as well as AFAD, UMKE, health, and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the area.
One of the trapped workers, İsmet Kabuk, was rescued injured about 2 hours after the incident and taken to the hospital. It was learned that Kabuk was discharged after treatment and that his health condition was good. As a result of intensive efforts, the rescue teams reached Veysel Oruçoğlu around 21:00. Under the control of the teams, it was determined that Oruçoğlu had lost his life. As a result of the search efforts, the lifeless body of Ziya Kiret was finally retrieved from the coal piles around 22:30.
2 WORKERS BURIED
The funeral for miners Ziya Kiret and Veysel Oruçoğlu was held at the Gelik Central Mosque, attended by Deputy Ministers of Labor and Social Security Ahmet Aydın and Adnan Ertem, CHP Zonguldak Member of Parliament Eylem Ertuğrul, Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, Mayor Tahsin Erdem, Acting General Director of Occupational Health and Safety Erhan Taylan, political party representatives, miners, and the families and relatives of the deceased workers. The miners' relatives shed tears. After the funeral prayer held at noon, Ziya Kiret was buried in the family cemetery in the Gelik town. It was learned that Kiret, a father of 3 children, continued to work in the mine despite being retired to cover the expenses of his daughter who is studying at university.
Veysel Oruçoğlu's funeral was held in the family cemetery in the Dereköseler neighborhood of Çaycuma district. It was reported that Oruçoğlu was a father of 2 children and had 2 years left until his retirement.
EXPERT AND INSPECTOR ASSIGNED
Meanwhile, an expert committee has been assigned as part of the investigation initiated by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident. An inspector has also been assigned by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. It was reported that the expert and inspectors have started their examinations.