RSD Donates 90,000 Euros to Families After Soma Mine Disaster

German tour operator RSD Reise Service Deutschland GmbH has raised 90,000 euros to support families affected by the fatal mine disaster in Soma, Turkey.

The disaster, which occurred on May 13, 2014, claimed the lives of 301 miners, leaving behind grieving families, many residing in difficult-to-access mountain villages around Soma.

RSD and its local tour guides operating in Turkey initiated a joint fundraising effort. A total of 90,000 euros has been collected, with 50,000 euros coming from previously raised funds intended for a school. The tour operator contributed an additional 40,000 euros.

Each of the 21 families in the villages of Elmadere and Köseler will receive nearly 4,300 euros, approximating more than a year's salary for a miner. The funds are intended to cover the families' most urgent financial needs.

Recep Yavuz, CEO of RSD's Turkish partner NBK Touristic, emphasized that RSD is the only German tour operator providing this level of support. The funds will be distributed responsibly after NBK Touristic identified the greatest needs among the affected families.