A Turkish mine accident leaves almost 300 dead in the town of Soma, igniting protests in Turkey's biggest cities against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. In South Korea, crew members driving the Sewol ferry at the time of its April 16 sinking have been charged for their role in the disaster. Finally, ex-New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder related to a double homicide in July 2012.
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Mass Funerals and Anti-Government Protests Mark Turkish Mine Disaster Aftermath
Protests against Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s administration heated up this week as the town of Soma mourned the at least 284 lives taken by a mine disaster.
Hundreds of protestors in Istanbul and Ankara faced off against water cannons and tear gas to oppose Erdogan’s response to the mine fire. An image of Yusuf Yerkel, an aide to Erdogan, kicking a protestor has only fueled Turkish citizens’ anger.
A power transformer blew up during a shift change at the mine Tuesday, causing a deadly fire that choked miners and prevented their rescue. The death toll rose to 284 on Friday as more bodies were pulled from the mine.
Although at least 88 miners were saved in the initial rush following the explosion, the chances of saving the 100 or so still trapped are quickly diminishing.
Despite a growing economy, Turkey has long been criticized for its worker safety conditions. The accident is the country’s worst mine disaster in history.
South Korea Captain and Crew Members Charged With Manslaughter in Ferry Accident
The captain of a South Korean ferry and three crew members have been indicted following April’s Sewol ferry incident.
Lee Joon-seok, 68, reportedly left the ferry as it capsized despite telling passengers to stay onboard. The ferry’s chief engineer, chief mate and second mate are also facing manslaughter charges. If found guilty, they could be sentenced to life in prison.
Another 11 crew members are being charged with negligence. Five officials of Chonghaejin Marine Company, the ferry’s owner, have also been indicted.
The ferry capsized on April 16 after completing a sharp turn, resulting in the deaths of at least 281 passengers -- most of whom were high schoolers on a class trip.
Following the disaster, investigations uncovered that the Sewol ferry had exceeded its cargo capacity on 246 trips prior to the accident. Excess cargo also played a part in the ferry’s sinking, as the weight pulled the ferry down after so sharp a turn.
Since the accident, families of the victims have been pressing the South Korean government to bring the captain and his crew to trial. As of Thursday, 23 passengers are still unaccounted for, and the ship's reported deterioration is making search efforts more difficult.
Aaron Hernandez Indicted in Double Homicide
Former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder for a double homicide that took place in July 2012.
Hernandez, 24, allegedly fired at a car carrying Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado, both of whom Hernandez met briefly earlier in the evening at a Boston nightclub. The ex-football player and a man named Alexander Bradley were spotted on security footage inside Cure Lounge. The pair was also seen following de Abreu and Furtado in a SUV, from which Hernandez supposedly shot at the victims’ BMW.
de Abreu and Furtado’s families filed wrongful death lawsuits against Hernandez in February, seeking $6 million for the lives lost.
Hernandez has also been indicted on one count of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and three counts of armed assault with intent to murder. Aside from these cases, he is in jail and awaiting trial for the 2013 murder of semipro football player Odin Lloyd.