Azernews.Az

Two workers who succumbed to carbon-monoxide poisoning while working in an illegal coal mine in Gelik, in the northern province of Zonguldak, were laid to rest Friday by family and friends.
Serkan Demiro, the 27-year-old co-owner of the mine, and Muharrem Balta, a 53-year-old worker, were 150 meters underground when they collapsed at around 11 p.m. Thursday night due to carbon-monoxide poisoning, the Doğan news agency reported.
According to the news agency, employee İbrahim Zengin, 43, found his employer and colleague lying unconscious in the mine and reported the incident to other workers. Zengin then returned in an effort to save Demiro and Balta, but was also overcome by the fumes.
Other media accounts of the incident differed slightly, with the Anatolia news agency reporting that Balta was initially working alone in the mine and Demiro and Zengin descended together to check on him after he failed to make contact.
Police and medical personnel arrived at the scene, but called for assistance from the provincial disaster and emergency directorate before entering the mine because of the high concentration of carbon-monoxide gas inside.
Emergency teams eventually managed to reach the three miners. Balta was pronounced dead at the scene while Demiro and Zengin were transferred to Zonguldak Atatürk State Hospital.
Despite doctors’ efforts, Demiro died in the hospital, where Zengin continues to fight for his life. His condition reportedly improved Friday.
Family and relatives bid farewell to Demiro, who is survived by his wife and a son, after prayers at the local Dilaver mosque.
Balta, who had seven children, had begun work at the illegal mine after leaving a job at a legal private mine. Following an autopsy, his body was taken to the nearby province of Bartın for burial.