title: Autopsy evaluation of coal mining deaths in the city of Zonguldak, Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, our aim was to evaluate the fatal occupational accidents that occurred in Zonguldak coal mines between the years 2005-2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated 42 fatal coal mine occupational accidents in Zonguldak (Turkey) between the years 2005-2008. The forensic records of autopsies referred to the chief prosecutors' office during 2005-2008 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 42 cases. The cases were evaluated with respect to age, mechanism of injury, body region of wound, cause of death, and legality of the mine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ages of the deceased ranged between 17 and 52 (median: 32.9 yrs). Deaths were mostly in the 21-30 (35.8%), and 31-40 (30.9%) age groups. Only 1 case was younger than 18 years of age. Review of occupational fatalities has revealed that fatal accidents occurred mostly (76.2%) in the private, and fewer (23.8%) in the public mining enterprises. Crime scene investigation findings have demonstrated that of all occupational deaths (total n=42), 27 (64.3%) were due to subsidence, followed by methane gas poisoning (n=6, 14.2%), tram crash (n=3, 7.1%), log falls (n=2, 4.8%), electrocution (n=2, 4.8%), and methane explosion (n=2, 4.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite laws and regulations concerning mining and because of problems in their implementation, Turkey leads the world in work-related accidents, occupational injuries, and deaths. Evaluation of autopsy findings of deaths in fatal occupational accidents occurring in coal mines is quite important in planning to decrease rates of occupational fatalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors.forename: Riza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Durmus
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evcuman
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilhan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kocak
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kivanc
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ergen
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003032:Coal Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003643:Death; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult