Killing of Two Children in Dersim by Explosives: 'There are a Lot of War Remnants' Says Mayor

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Dersim Mayor Mehmet Fatih Maçoğlu has spoken to bianet on the killing of Ayaz Güloğlu (8) and his sister Nupelda (4).

Saying that the investigation opened by the prosecutor's office is continuing, Maçoğlu gave the following information on the incident:

"The explosion happens in the countryside between Ovacık and Hozat. When the children were playing games 10 meters away from their family's home in the plateau, the explosion occurs.

"Local people who saw the scene of the incident said that there were not any craters. Although the absence of a crater indicates the possibility that there was not a mine, examinations are continuing. It wouldn't be right to say certain things at the moment. We will make the appropriate statement after the examinations are completed."

The mayor said that there are many "war remnants" in what he calls "war zones."

"In the areas where the war occurs like here, there are a lot of mined zones. Sometimes animals, sometimes adults and sometimes children step on these mines and lose their lives.

"All the bombs dropped in the places where the war occurs do not explode and stay on the terrain. Such losses of lives occur as a result."

Maçoğlu further indicated that a mine clearance operation was not conducted in the region despite officials previously stated that the mines will be cleared by the end of 2018.

"We will begin efforts for this, make talks with appropriate authorities. We don't want any more losses of lives to occur," he added. "The family had two children and lost both of them this way. Once again, I offer condolences to the family and our people."

The Governorship of Tunceli (Dersim) released a statement yesterday, claiming that the incident happened because of the explosion of an improvised explosive device planted by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Turkish Armed Forces have been conducting a military campaign in Dersim in the last few years. The Governor of Tunceli announced on July 15 that 29 areas in the province will be "temporary security zones" until July 1, 2020. (RT/EKN/VK)