LOC20:52
17:52 GMT
ANKARA, Oct 31 (KUNA) -- Ermenek Criminal Court of Peace approved on Friday the request of the public prosecutor for putting on probation the officials of Karaman mine, south Turkey, for possible responsibility for the mine disaster.
The documents and evidence, obtained by the prosecution, point to possible negligence which requires putting the suspects on probation pursuant to Article 109 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Ermenek court has adopted the appropriate decision and informed the competent bodies of it, according to the statement.
Has Sekerler Madencilik, the mine operator, attributed the tragedy yesterday to a natural disaster.
The flood occurred although the company "took all necessary safety measures," it said in its first statement after the disaster.
"It is impossible to define the exact cause of the accident right now," the statement added.
However, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said the accident does not look like natural disasters.
Rescuers are battling to reach the 18 miners who have been trapped underground by flood water since Tuesday, October 28. (end)
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