Two labourers from district Shangla lost their lives, while another sustained injuries in two separate coal mine accidents, triggering grief and concern among local communities and labour organisations over the recurring incidents in mining areas.
First accident in Akhorwal coal mines
According to local sources, the first tragic incident occurred in the Pal area of Akhorwal coal mines where an accident took place at around 1pm inside Bam Coal Company Mine No 5, Star Saidai. Sources said that two workers were trapped under debris after a sudden collapse occurred inside the mine during routine mining operations.
Fellow miners, rescue personnel and local residents immediately initiated rescue efforts and after nearly two and a half hours succeeded in pulling the affected workers out of the collapsed section of the mine. One labourer died in the accident while the other suffered injuries. The deceased was identified as Muhammadzada son of Gul Jahan, while the injured worker was identified as Khadam Shah son of Balizer. Both workers hailed from district Shangla.
Second accident in Chhapar Mushti area
In another incident reported from Chhapar Mushti area, a young labourer identified as Haider son of Akbar Khan, a resident of Borshat in Koz Kana, died during work inside a coal mine. Sources said the young worker had been working in the mine to earn a livelihood for his family when he met with the fatal accident during duty hours. After completion of legal formalities, the body of the deceased was dispatched to his native village for burial.
Concerns over safety measures
Residents and labour organisations expressed serious concern over the alleged absence of adequate safety arrangements in coal mines and urged the government and relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the incidents. Local people said that repeated accidents in coal mines had become a constant threat to the lives of workers and stressed the need for strict implementation of safety protocols and labour protection measures in mining operations.
