Commemoration held for four Kakanj miners: May this never happen again to anyone, ever

A commemoration was held today at the House of Culture in Kakanj at 11:30 AM for Muhamed Sarač (born 1968), Nermin Mušija (1977), Mijo Stojčić (1976), and Sejad Gađun (1971), who died in the Begići-Bištrani mine of RMU Kakanj while honorably performing their work duties, writes the BH news agency Patria.

Nermin Mušija had been employed for just over two years and did not have a permanent contract.

Mijo Stojčić is survived by two children and a pregnant wife, six sisters, two brothers, and his parents.

Muhamed Sarač is the father of one child and had been working in the mine since November 2004.

Sejad Gađun had been working in the mine as a loader since 2013, and is survived by two children.

At the time of the accident in the Begići-Bištrani mine, which belongs to the Kakanj Brown Coal Mine, which occurred on Tuesday at one hour past midnight, there were 28 miners. Immediately after the accident, the remaining 24 miners, including the two injured, left the mine and safely exited. Two miners were seriously injured; one was released for home treatment, and the other is scheduled for thigh surgery today.

The president of the mine union, Nezir Begić, addressed the commemoration.

- As long as coal is mined in these areas, fear will flow in our veins. The silence around me gives me the strength to work; I cannot condemn anyone. The number of fallen miners is too great and weighs heavily on this region of Kakanj. Time will show the fairness of what we do, or fail to do. We can be angry or critical, but there is one truth: these four will no longer be counted on their rosters. When families break the seven-course meal, one chair will be empty. We cannot fill that void; it is real and painful, but we promise to do everything to make that void less painful – said Begić.

The president of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Miners' Union, Sinan Husić, said that the miners lost their lives doing an honorable and honest job, and their departure cannot be compensated.

- The families of the deceased must have the support of all of us. The wound from Raspotočje has not yet healed, and a new one has occurred. We are concerned about our colleagues in other mines and demand safer and more humane working conditions. We have given a lot and ask for little, and this land is soaked with miners' blood. For the last time, we implore the authorities that this does not happen to us again.

The acting director of RMU Kakanj, Kasim Alajbegović, told those present that it is hardest for the families of the deceased comrades.

- We have heard countless times that when one man dies, it is as if the world has died, and so many miners have died that for us, the whole world has died many times over. How difficult will it be to raise children who need to be told they were born a few days after their father's death, and mothers will not be alone. It is our obligation to support them; we have experience. This accident, like any other, is a serious warning, and this is a loss that cannot be compensated. EPBiH is a large and powerful company, and it is good that we are part of that system because it gives us security and confidence, knowing that we are not alone. Results cannot come overnight, but with our effort and God's help, results will come.

The mayor of Kakanj municipality, Nermin Mandra, said that the struggle of the people of Kakanj with the mines has been going on for decades.

- Mines are our destiny; they bring darkness and life, happiness and sadness. Without mines, there is no existence in these areas, and yet these mines can bring sorrow. The pain today is immense and does not pass. Kakanj has mourned throughout the entire 20th century, and new times bring new tragedies. We all have an obligation to create better living conditions. Tourism cannot be the primary source of livelihood; God has given us coal and stone, so people from this region must go into mines and quarries for bread. The families of the fallen miners are in our thoughts and prayers, and Kakanj will find the strength to fight for a better today and tomorrow – said Mandra.

The President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marinko Čavara, expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen miners.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Šefik Džaferović, said it is difficult to find words to describe the pain and explain the feeling we are in.

- Miners perform the most dangerous part of the job in the most honorable and honest way. The salary and safety in the mines are not at the level they should be. This is an anomaly; everything must be done to ensure miners are adequately rewarded and that work is safer. Accidents can never be completely avoided, but we can do everything to ensure the highest level of safety in the mines – said Džaferović.