SOMA , Turkey, May 20 (UPI) -- Three people were arrested on negligence charges after a Turkish mine explosion and fire killed 301 people.
The suspects, including the mining company's operations manager, are among 19 people in custody. In Soma, site of the mine, prosecutor Bekir Sahiner said the three were charged with the same crime, of causing multiple deaths. He added 25 people were initially detained, including other company executives, and six had been released.
The government promised a thorough investigation into the last week's incident, although company officials and the government have insisted the mine was regularly inspected. A report by the newspaper Milliyet noted several safety infractions at the mine, including a lack of carbon monoxide detectors and a ceiling made of wood instead of metal.
Company officials claimed high safety standards at the mine, pointing out gas masks and gas sensors.
Rescue operations ended Saturday, with the recovery of the bodies of the last two trapped miners. The mine entrance has been sealed with brick. The incident prompted anger across Turkey and what many considered an unsympathetic response from the government.
