13.07.2026 17:01
The lifeless body of İbrahim Arınmış, who allegedly entered a cave in Çorum for unauthorized excavation and got trapped, losing his life, has not been recovered for 4 days due to dense methane gas and detected explosives. It has been reported that entry to the area leading to the cave has been banned and gendarmerie has started round-the-clock guard duty.
The lifeless body of İbrahim Arınmış, who got trapped in a cave and died after being affected by methane gas while illegally digging for gold in Çorum, has not been recovered for 4 days due to dense methane gas and explosives. Entry to the area has been banned, and gendarmes are standing guard.
TRAPPED IN THE CAVE
The incident occurred on July 9 in a cave on a steep rocky area between the villages of Pancarlık and Kavacık. According to claims, 5 people who came to Çorum from Ankara entered the cave to illegally dig for gold. İbrahim Arınmış from the group got trapped after being affected by dense methane gas inside. Upon the report, gendarme, AFAD, fire brigade, and medical teams were dispatched to the area. A ventilation system was set up under AFAD's coordination to evacuate the methane gas in the cave.
BODY CANNOT BE RECOVERED DUE TO METHANE GAS
After gas measurements, AFAD teams, along with members of the Turkish Speleology Federation and a rescue team from a mine operating in İskilip, set up a rope system and entered the cave. Advancing about 60 meters, the teams reached Arınmış's lifeless body. However, examinations in the cave detected dense methane gas as well as explosives. Additionally, charged drills, saws, jackets, and backpacks were found inside. It was also stated that 4 suspects, detained on suspicion of digging, were released the same day on the order of the public prosecutor after their statements at the gendarme station.
RISK IS VERY HIGH
It was learned that rescue efforts are hindered by the cave's structure where teams are working. From the cave entrance, there is a sloping section approximately 150 meters long, about 1 meter wide, with a mossy and slippery surface, and further parts include narrow spaces only passable by crawling. It was noted that the methane gas concentrated in the narrow galleries and the explosives inside pose a great risk for both rescue teams and crime scene investigations. While expert teams that came to the area for the explosives completed their examinations and left, it was stated that the lifeless body cannot currently be removed from its location due to the methane gas level still being at dangerous levels.
GENDARME STANDS GUARD
After the incident, the cave entrance was fully secured. Provincial Gendarme Command teams banned entry to the area leading to the cave. It was stated that gendarmes are on full-time guard against potential dangers. It was learned that authorities are continuing technical assessments of the cave's current structure, methane gas density, and explosion risk, and the decision on whether to recover Arınmış's body will be made after these studies.