Well disaster in Kahramanmaraş: Rescuer Tekin also succumbed to methane gas

Quick summary

Two people died from exposure to methane gas in a water well in Kahramanmaraş: 52-year-old Gurbet Esenceli, who descended into the well, and Mehmet Tekin, who attempted to rescue him. Similar accidents repeat in Turkey every year; experts warn against entering closed spaces without ventilation and gas measurement.

Why it matters

Methane accumulation in closed water wells and similar spaces causes deaths every year. Readers should understand that when faced with situations requiring entry into wells on residential or agricultural property, calling professional teams and ensuring ventilation are critical.

Key takeaways

• ›Closed and deep water wells, especially when unused for long periods, accumulate methane and carbon dioxide from organic matter decomposition.
• ›Gurbet Esenceli lost consciousness when he entered the 8-meter well to clean it, and Mehmet Tekin, who descended to rescue him, immediately lost consciousness.
• ›Experts warn that ventilation must be performed and gas measurements must be conducted before entering closed spaces.
• ›In 2023, two farm workers lost their lives in a similar methane gas incident in Konya; such accidents repeat every year in Turkey.