10 people killed in Istanbul elevator accident

ISTANBUL (AP) — An elevator plunged 32 stories at a construction site in Istanbul, killing ten people.

Istanbul’s governor, Huseyin Avni Mutlu, said eight people were detained and that an investigation has been launched into the incident that occurred on Saturday. The eight people were later released after questioning by authorities.

Mutlu said: “The laws are clear . if anyone is not abiding by these laws, they will be held accountable.”

Labor unions were organizing a demonstration in Istanbul Sunday to protest problems with worker safety in the country.

The workplace accident comes four months after 301 miners were killed following an explosion and a fire at a coal mine in western Turkey. Turkey’s worst mining disaster set off protests against what was perceived as official laxity and corruption and raised questions over the implementation of safety standards.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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