02.06.2026 20:30
In the trial regarding the mine collapse in Zonguldak that resulted in the deaths of 2 workers and the injury of 1 worker, the detained defendant confessed that the owner of the mine was someone else. Following this confession, the court panel decided to release the defendant pending trial.
The trial regarding the collapse at a private mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak, which occurred on February 16 and resulted in the deaths of 2 workers and injuries to 1 worker, began at the Zonguldak 3rd Heavy Penal Court.
“THEY REGISTERED SITE NO. 18 IN MY NAME. I DON’T KNOW WHY THEY DID IT”
The detained defendant H.D. (53), the non-detained defendants T.A. (41) and E.S. (35), families of the deceased workers, and lawyers from both sides attended the hearing.
In the final part of his defense, defendant H.D. stated that he took over the company from a person named B.C., saying, “I did not pay any money when I acquired the partnership in this company. I am only the authorized person on paper. I do not interfere with the operations of this mine, and I do not give instructions to the workers. The mine belongs to H.B. They registered Site No. 18 in my name. I don’t know why they did it. I work for a salary. I receive my salary from H.B., 150 thousand lira. H.B. pays me in cash. H.B. and his sons manage this mine.” H.D. added that he did not participate in any tenders and did not pay anyone when taking over the site.
“EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE REAL OWNER OF THIS MINE IS H.B.”
Olcay Kiret, who lost his father Ziya Kiret in the collapse, also spoke at the hearing and claimed that the real responsible person is H.B. Kiret said, “The mine owner is not H.D. The real mine owner is H.B. I want him to be tried. Everyone knows that the real owner of this mine is H.B. We have evidence that the real owner of this mine is H.B.”
Onur Kiret stated that he worked at the same mine as his father and that he has witnesses and WhatsApp messages indicating the real owner of the mine is H.B. Consequently, the court panel decided to examine Kiret's mobile phone, print out his messages with H.B., and include them in the case file. Ziya Kiret’s wife, Şafak Nur Kiret, also complained, saying that her husband would not work without the engineer’s knowledge, that the mine belongs to H.B., and that if H.D. took responsibility, he should serve his sentence.
ALLEGATION THAT WORKERS ENTERED THE MINE BEFORE WORKING HOURS
Defendant H.D. stated in his defense that he was the sole authorized person of the mining company and took over the mine on December 15, 2025. H.D. explained that a single shift was implemented two months before the accident, saying, “The victims entered the mine before working hours. Before entering the mine and before the shift starts, our engineer organizes a briefing at the mine entrance, and separate signatures are taken for attendance. The deceased entered the mine without notifying the engineer.”
Defendant T.A., who denied the accusations, claimed that he left the company on January 31, 2026, that he was the permanent supervisor during his employment, and that he had no further connection with the mine afterward. T.A. said, “According to what I heard later, the roof collapsed, weakening and breaking the support. At the site of the accident, supports were being installed and ventilation holes were being opened. The place where the last support was installed broke and collapsed.”
Defendant E.S., who said he was appointed as permanent supervisor 5 days before the accident, also alleged that the workers came and worked without knowledge of the shift starting at 3:00 PM. E.S. stated, “I informed the workers during training not to work without authorization. Workers entering the mine without authorization has never happened before.”
DISPUTE BETWEEN LAWYERS
During the hearing, a dispute arose between the plaintiff’s and defendant’s lawyers. The tension, which started when a defense lawyer interrupted the plaintiff’s lawyer’s statement, turned into mutual shouting. The defense lawyer banged the file on the table, said “rude,” and left the courtroom, while another plaintiff’s lawyer responded, “You cannot shout at a woman, know your place.”
İsmet Kabuk, who was heard as a witness and survived the accident with injuries, said that H.B. hired him but he knew the mine was registered under H.D.’s name. Kabuk stated that his supervisor Ziya Kiret asked him to come in the morning, adding, “We worked in the ventilation area for three days. Suddenly, while we were working, the ceiling we were working under collapsed. We were making supports from wood. We had no shortage of support materials.”
RELEASE DECISION
The court panel decided to release the detained defendant H.D. and adjourned the hearing to September 22 to address the missing documents in the case file.