MANISA — Investigations in the Soma mine tragedy showed something shocking, aside from heavy carbon monoxide levels, the exit of the mine was at a steep 13% incline causing miners trying to escape to spend more energy trying to rush out. The quick dash to the exit left miners breathing heavier than they normally should have.

Due to this very reason a majority of the 284 dead miners were found dead on this slope. The workers had oxygen masks that would normally last up to 45 minutes but investigations determined that the masks lasted for only 20 minutes due to heavy inhaling and exhaling caused by the steep incline.