SHANGLA: Three coal miners from Shangla were killed after a portion of a coal mine collapsed in the Bora Hassan Khel area of Dara Adam Khel, highlighting continued safety concerns for workers from the district who travel elsewhere for employment.
The deceased were identified as Inzar Gul, son of Wazir Jan, and Hafeez Khan, son of Zubair, both residents of Gado Sar Pirabad, and Hafeez, son of Ghafoor, a resident of Pagorai Pirabad. The miners were working underground when they were buried under the debris. Their bodies were later transported to their native areas for burial.
The latest deaths come amid a series of mining accidents involving workers from Shangla. Two other miners from the district were killed in separate incidents in Kala Khel and Dara Adam Khel last week, according to local reports.
Shangla Families Bear Repeated Losses
The latest incident has renewed concerns among families that depend on coal mining for their livelihoods. Local sources estimate that more than 66 percent of Shangla’s population is directly or indirectly associated with mining, while thousands of workers travel to coal mines in different parts of the country because of limited employment opportunities at home.
The risks faced by Shangla’s mining families were highlighted again by the July tragedy at the Sorange coalfield near Quetta, where 34 miners from Shangla were killed after a methane gas explosion caused a mine collapse. The victims included workers from Pirabad, with 23 reportedly belonging to the same village.
Mining workers and local residents say repeated accidents have also left some workers with permanent disabilities, including loss of limbs and eyesight, placing additional financial pressure on affected families.
Calls for Stronger Mine Safety Measures
Local stakeholders have called for stricter enforcement of mine safety regulations, regular technical inspections, modern protective equipment and proper safety training for workers.
They have also urged authorities to identify dangerous sections of mines, improve emergency and medical response systems, and provide financial assistance and appropriate compensation to families of deceased or permanently disabled miners.
Residents have further called for greater investment in Shangla’s industrial, commercial and technical education sectors to create alternative employment opportunities and reduce dependence on hazardous mining work.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has previously documented safety concerns in Dara Adam Khel, including inadequate protective equipment, limited awareness of safety procedures, poor accident record-keeping and insufficient healthcare access for injured miners.