Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Confirms 10 Shangla Residents Among Victims of Balochistan Mine Collapse
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced on Saturday that 10 of the 12 miners who perished in the Sanjidi coal mine collapse in Balochistan were residents of Shangla district.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday following a methane gas explosion, causing the mine to collapse and trapping 12 workers inside.
Rescue teams from the Balochistan Department of Minerals and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) managed to recover four bodies on Friday after extensive efforts.
Expressing his condolences, CM Gandapur said, “We stand in solidarity with the grieving families.”
According to Balochistan’s Chief Mines Inspector Abdul Ghani, the explosion occurred at a depth of 4,000 feet while miners were extracting coal, resulting in the mine’s collapse. An investigation has been initiated by the Department of Minerals to assess the safety measures implemented by the mine operators.
Frequent Mining Accidents in Balochistan
Balochistan’s coal mines, operated by private companies under government lease agreements, are notorious for unsafe working conditions and outdated mining techniques. These hazards have led to numerous fatalities over the years.
Last year alone, 46 mining accidents in the province claimed 82 lives, according to the Department of Minerals. Balochistan, rich in coal reserves with deposits in areas like Mach, Hernai, and Chamalang, has seen repeated tragedies due to unsafe practices.
- In March 2023, a gas explosion in a coal mine in Hernai’s Khost area killed 12 workers.
- In 2021, accidents in Marwar, Hernai, and other regions led to the deaths of 22 miners.
- In 2020, over 100 miners lost their lives in various incidents, with 52 fatalities reported in the Duki district alone.
Despite its abundant resources, Balochistan’s mining sector continues to grapple with unsafe conditions, endangering the lives of its workers.
