Health ministry provides help after Turkey mine disaster

The Turkish Health Ministry plans to provide more psychological assistance to survivors, victims' families and members of the rescue teams, following the disaster that killed 301 miners in Soma last week, in the western province of Manisa. According to a statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday, a group of 105 experts - 11 psychiatrists, 8 child psychiatrists, 43 psychologists and 43 social service workers – are being sent in the region to provide additional help. So far, 35 psychiatrists, 32 psychologists and 14 social service experts have already provided assistance to 316 people who needed psychological help because of the tragic event. Psychiatric clinics will also be established in neighboring hospitals in the region, the statement said. In addition, medical and social experts will also visit patients' homes. This psychological assistance is to last for at least six years, added the statement. On May 13, a coal mine disaster occurred in the town of Soma, which is the deadliest mining incident in Turkey's history, surpassing the death toll of a firedamp explosion that killed 263 miners in Zonguldak in 1992.