Soma mine disaster
The worst mining disaster in Turkish history took place when an explosion caused an underground mine fire at a coal mine in Soma, Manisa, leaving 301 people dead.
In context
- When
- Tuesday, May 13 201412 years ago
- Category
- Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
- Era
- 21st century · 2010s
- Recorded from
- Wikipedia “On this day” feed
At a glance
Dates: From 2014-05-13.
Place: Soma, Turkey.
Type: mining accident and coal seam fire.
Deaths reported: 282.
What came before
Background See also: Coal in Turkey § Workers' health and safety Soma coal mine Soma coal mine (Turkey) A 2010 study by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) identified shortcomings in mining methods, production planning and ventilation as major contributors to mining accidents . It reported 7.22 deaths per million tonnes of hard coal produced in Turkey in 2008, compared with 1.27 in China. [ 1 ] In May 2014,
What happened
On 13 May 2014, blasting at Eynez coal mine in Soma, Manisa, Turkey, caused an underground mine fire, which burned until 15 May. In total, 301 people were killed, making it the worst mine disaster in Turkey's history. The mine, operated by coal producer Soma Kömür İşletmeleri A.Ş., suffered a fire, the causes of which were later found to be complex. The fire occurred at the mine's shift change, when 787 workers were underground. At the time, the disaster was thought to be mainly an explosion rather than fire.
May 13 through the years
Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.
- 1999Kosovo War
- 2000Enschede fireworks disaster
- 2005Andijan massacre
- 2005Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uzbekistan)
- 20062006 São Paulo violence outbreak
- 2008Indian Mujahideen
- 20112011 Charsadda bombing
- 2012Cadereyta Jiménez massacre
- 2013Kermit Gosnell
- 2014Soma mine disaster
- 2017Eurovision Song Contest 2017
Also in 2014
- May 11KinshasaFifteen people are killed and 46 injured in Kinshasa, DRC, in a stampede caused by tear gas being thrown into soccer stands by police off…
- September 9Songs of Innocence (U2 album)The album Songs of Innocence by U2 is digitally released at no charge to all customers of the iTunes Music Store, appearing automatically…
- September 12Synagogue Church of All NationsThe Synagogue Church building collapse results in the deaths of 115 people and several injured, in the Church run by Nigeria's T. B. Joshua.
- September 16Siege of KobanîThe Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant launches its Kobani offensive against Syrian–Kurdish forces.
- September 182014 Scottish independence referendumScotland votes against independence from the United Kingdom, by 55% to 45%.
- July 13Germany national football teamGermany won the FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, with Mario Götze scoring the game's only goal (pictured) in the extra time.
- October 22OttawaIn Ottawa, Canada, the downtown core was placed on lockdown after a series of shootings at Parliament Hill.
- October 222014 shootings at Parliament HillMichael Zehaf-Bibeau attacks the Parliament of Canada, killing a soldier and injuring three other people.
Sources
- Wikipedia article (text, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 for adapted text · how we source this
Cite this page
“Soma mine disaster”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/soma-mine-disaster-2014-may-13, accessed October 27, 2026.
Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.
Questions about this entry
When did Soma mine disaster happen?
May 13 2014 — 12 years ago, on a Tuesday.
Where does this text come from?
Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.
How do I cite this page?
Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.
One entry a day, by email
The standout entry each morning. Kept for this site only.
Text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0 and from Wikidata (CC0). Images come from Wikimedia Commons; credit and licence are shown with each image. Editorial entries are © What's On This Date. Sources & licensing · How this site works.