Istanbul, May 20 (RHC)-- Turkish media reports say the government in Ankara had rejected earlier calls to investigate the safety of mines in the Soma region, weeks prior to the recent deadly mine explosion in the country.
 
Reports show the main opposition, Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), made a motion last October to inspect work-related accidents in the region, only to be rejected by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) several weeks ago.
 
The explosion at the coal mine is said to have been caused by an electrical fault.  Public anger and allegations of negligence against the Turkish government over safety conditions of the mine have escalated as an electrical fault there the day before caused a collapse.
 
Anti-government protests have been held in Istanbul and Ankara over the incident.