UN chief ‘deeply saddened’ by Turkish coal mine tragedy

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his solidarity with the people of Turkey following the coal mine tragedy in Soma, and said he hopes that measures will be taken to prevent such disasters in the future.

In a statement issued last night by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he “stands together with the people of Turkey as they mourn fathers, sons and brothers, and attend to the wounded.”

The Secretary-General shares their hope “that the causes will be investigated expeditiously.”

Earlier this week, Guy Ryder, the Director-General of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO), had offered his condolences in the wake of the tragedy.

More than 280 people died and many others are missing or seriously injured in Tuesday’s mine explosion and its aftermath.

Rescue measures are continuing, according to media reports, with Turkish officials calling it one of the country’s worst disasters.