Three killed in mine collapse in Türkiye's Erzurum

A tragic accident at a quarry in Erzurum’s Oltu district claimed the lives of three workers on June 28, following a collapse at a site where the region's famous Oltu stone is mined.

The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. local time in the Tutlu neighbourhood, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Emergency services, including health teams, firefighters, disaster response units (AFAD), and gendarmerie, were quickly dispatched to the scene after authorities received reports of a collapse.

Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi also travelled to the site and later provided an initial briefing.

“According to early findings, one person died at the scene and two others were seriously injured. The injured workers were taken to the hospital by ambulance, and their condition remains critical,” the governor said.

Despite medical efforts at Oltu State Hospital, both injured workers succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to three. Governor Çiftçi and officials conducted an on-site inspection following the rescue efforts.

In a statement, the Erzurum Governor’s Office confirmed the timeline of the collapse and the response from emergency services. “A collapse occurred at a quarry operating in Tutlu Mahallesi at approximately 11:20 a.m. on June 28, 2025. Upon reports that three workers were trapped under the debris, health, AFAD, fire, and gendarmerie teams were immediately dispatched,” the statement said.

The statement added that one of the workers was found dead at the scene, while the other two died in the hospital despite all interventions. Judicial and administrative investigations into the incident have been launched.

By Tamilla Hasanova