Buner tragedy: Lack of safety measures blamed for miners’ death

Inquiry initiated to probe the incident.

BUNER:

It took hours to dig out those stranded in the Bam Pokha Village mine landslide on Tuesday, according to an eyewitness.

“Some of the workers were changing clothes at that time, who, along with local people and the police, rushed to help us. It was a huge landslide,” he said. Six miners died and three more were injured.

He claimed that the mines corporation had not taken any safety measures for the workers, and they did not have proper rescue tools to dig out the workers.

Noor Khan was one of the workers who were killed in the landslide. His wife said, “He looked after our family of ten. He would work all day for us but now that he’s gone, I don’t know how I will manage to feed such a big family. I hope the government will help us out as we have no other way to earn a living.”

Buner District Coordination Officer said he has initiated an inquiry into the incident and also demanded an inquiry from the mining department in this regard. He assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible for the improper safety measures.

Mining Department Assistant Director Ashfaq Ahmed said that the district mines inspector is probing the incident.

Mujahid Khan, the inspector, said, “We are conducting an inquiry on whether adequate safety measures were taken. We have also collected detailed information of those killed and injured in the landslide, which will be sent to the Workers’ Welfare Board for compensation for their families.”

He added that they will also demand compensation from the mine owner.

Buner, famous for it black and white marble, is one of the largest marble producing area with more than 300 marble factories.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2011.