As I write this, the number of dead in the Soma coal mine accident has already reached 284. We fear the death toll will rise. More than 400 miners have been rescued but hope for the rest is diminishing.Approximately 300 miners have died in this tragedy but the 77 million people in Turkey have been injured.As the nation mourns Turkey's deadliest mine accident, we also try to reckon with our pain. The government has announced three days of mourning, flags have been lowered with nationwide programs, festivals and concerts cancelled. The president, prime minister and others have cancelled their schedules. The country as a whole stands by the miners and their families today.Search and rescue teams have been working day and night to save miners still trapped underground. Saving lives is the first priority.Prime Minister Erdoğan visited the mine in Soma on Wednesday and met with officials and the relatives of the mine workers. No efforts will be spared to determine the cause of the incident.The government has launched a comprehensive investigation into the accident. The judicial and administrative investigations will determine if there was any negligence and/or violation of health and safety regulations. Inspection standards conducted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security will be reviewed. The mining company will be under strict scrutiny in the wake of the accident. Allegations of negligence will be duly investigated and steps will be taken to punish those responsible.The families of the deceased will be given full social security coverage with compensation and monthly salaries. Psychologists, social workers and religious officials have been sent to the region to council relatives and help them cope with their losses. A nationwide aid campaign has been launched by the Prime Ministry to help the miners and their families. Civil society institutions are joining the efforts.The fact that the fire occurred during the midday shift change unfortunately increased the death toll. Twice the number of a regular shift team was inside the mine at the time of the accident. Ensuring high safety during regular shifts will have to be a top priority.It is true that nothing will bring back those who lost their lives, but the lessons we should learn from this terrible incident will prevent similar disasters in the future.The way a nation mourns is a sign of its character. Turkey as a whole came together over the last three days and mourned its losses in a dignified way. Some protested angrily and loudly, some kept their anguish inside. What unites us all is the pain that we need to mourn together.The best way to honor the memory of those who died is to make sure that such incidents do not happen again. A key step will be to introduce stricter health and safety regulations in the mining industry. Even though the Government has passed a number of laws and regulations regarding the safety standards of mines, it will be reviewed and more rigorous inspection measures will be introduced.Turkey is a major mining country and reviewing mining regulations will help prevent accidents and reduce casualties. Related government agencies have the primary responsibility to introduce and implement the highest safety standards for miners.This needs to be complemented by a culture of accountability in the business sector. Government regulations and periodic inspections are there to ensure that no one's life is put at risk. But the companies have to implement these rules and regulations with the highest degree of responsibility and care. When human life is concerned, no expense is to be spared.Labor unions need to play a more constructive role and put the safety of workers over union politics.One loss of human life is already too many. The task at hand is to ensure the health and safety of all workers working under difficult and hazardous conditions.This terrible incident underlies once again the sanctity of making a living. Turkish miners, like other miners around the world, deserve our sympathy and compassion.