Turkey mine explosion leaves three dead
Three miners were killed in an explosion at a privately owned coal mine in northern Turkey, Euronews reported. Five other miners were injured, including two who were seriously hurt. A trapped miner was confirmed dead, bringing the reported death toll to three.
Oregon regulators consider action over chemical spill
In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality notified Precision Castparts on Friday that it had committed what the agency classified as the state’s most serious environmental violations. According to the notice reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting, the company discharged 394 gallons of sodium hydroxide and other chemicals into Johnson Creek between Sept. 17 and Sept. 19.
State regulators concluded that the industrial leak killed multiple fish, with dead fish found along a two-mile section of the southeast Portland creek. The department investigated reports of foamy material in the water and fish deaths on Sept. 18. Precision Castparts subsequently told regulators that the discharge included sodium hydroxide, along with smaller quantities of sodium hydrosulfide and sodium chlorite, and said no discharge was continuing.
The Department of Environmental Quality is considering enforcement action, including possible financial penalties. Precision Castparts did not immediately respond to Oregon Public Broadcasting’s emailed request for comment, and calls to its Johnson Creek facility went to voicemail. The Oregon Health Authority said there was no continuing public risk, stating that the chemicals do not persist or accumulate in the environment or fish and that the creek’s flow would have diluted the material once the release ended.