Rain wreaks havoc: Seven die in K-P, FATA, dozens trapped as mine collapses

In Orakzai Agency, over 45 people stuck when coalmine collapsed

KHYBER AGENCY/ PESHAWAR/ MOHMAND AGENCY/ MARDAN:

At least seven people died in rain-related incidents in various parts of K-P and Federally Administered Tribal Areas on Friday night and Saturday.

Over 45 people were trapped under the rubble when a coalmine collapsed in Lower Orakzai Agency.

Following the incident, there were conflicting statements as to cause of the collapse. The assistant political agent said the explosion was caused by the accumulation of gas in the mine.

Residents said there were over 45 people working in the mine. Rescue efforts were under way till the filing of the report. Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune, rescue workers were facing countless problems due to the distance of the coalmine from the agency administration office.

The political agent’s office said a person was killed while eight others were injured and had been rushed to the hospital.  “We have obtained a list of 24 people stuck in the coal mine,” an official said, adding that ambulances and rescue parties had reached the spot.

“However, there might be more people trapped inside,” he said.

However, since the manager and his assistant were themselves amongst those buried under the rubble it was hard to verify the exact number of people in the mine.

MPA Shaukat Yousafzai said six people were killed. He added the miners were from Shangla.

However, the political administration said it was hard to communicate with rescue workers and the minister’s claim could not be verified with information on ground.

Trail of death

In two separate village of Akakhel tribe in Bara, Khyber Agency, four persons died and eight others were injured. The injured were taken to a hospital in Peshawar.

In Misri Malal village in Akakhel, a woman died and her four children injured when the roof of a house collapsed. The injured were taken to a hospital where their condition was stated out of danger.

In Qandaro Safi area of Mohmand Agency, a man named Khakim Jan died when roof of a room caved on Saturday. In Jamrud, Khyber Agency, a woman was injured when roof of a house caved in due to heavy rainfall in Sorkamar area.

In the province

Although no loss of life was reported from K-P, 10 people were injured in various parts of the province due to the rain.

In Mardan, seven people were injured Friday night. Roof of the house of Muslim Khan caved in, injuring his three daughters. The rescue teams were called and the girls were taken to Mardan Medical Complex.

In Lund Khwar area of the district house of Hayat Muhammad in Gulshanabad area collapsed. Subsequently, his wife Riyasat and daughters Minhaz, Sana and Bano were injured. They were taken to Mardan Medical Complex in a critical condition where they were being treated when this report was filed.

In Ganjay Kalay area of Takht Bhai, Mardan, two persons were injured and taken to a hospital by Rescue 1122 teams.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2016.