The tragedy occurred at the mine in western Turkey killing 301 miners, left behind 432 orphans, according to the statements of the Minister of Social Affairs of the government of Tayyip Erdogan .

“The average age of these children is 10 years,” said the Minister according to the public Anatolian news agency.

Most of the men who lost their lives in the accident, the worst in the history of Turkey, were those who financially supported their families. The government promised to provide assistance to those in need.

Also, the miners in Turkey demand improvements in safety conditions before agreeing to return to work.

The Turkish Parliament held a meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss measures to improve workplace safety, but no specific measures were adopted.