Two colliers killed in Dukki mine tragedy

In yet another tragic accident in the disaster-prone Balochistan mining sector, two colliers were killed in the Dukki area when the cable of a trolley broke inside a coal mine on Friday.

The rope of the trolley broke and the metal cart hit the two coal miners working inside the pit on Friday, levies officials said.

They said that both of the miners were crushed to death on the spot.

Rescuers and fellow miners reached the spot and retrieved the dead bodies soon after the deadly incident.

The victims have been identified as Akhtar Muhammad, a resident of Afghanistan and Khawaj Muhammad, a resident of the Qila Saifullah district.

The corpses were shifted to hospital and handed over to the families after autopsy.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddoos Bizenjo expressed grief over the incident and ordered an inquiry into it.

Peer Muhammad Kakar, the central leader of Pakistan Mines Labour Association (PLA), has demanded an investigation into the incident.

He said that proper compensation should be provided to the families of the victims.

Lack of safety procedures in the mining sector and unavailability of proper rescue teams and equipment have resulted in the loss of hundreds of coal miners’ lives in Dukki, Mach, Harnai, Sorange, Chamalang, Khoast, and other parts of Balochistan.

Unfortunately such incidents are not investigated by the government nor justice is provided to the victims in the form of financial compensation or medical treatment.

“One of the main reasons behind these deadly accidents is the lack of safety measures while working in the mines,” said a coal miner while talking to The Express Tribune, adding that no technical equipment are provided to detect toxic gases in the mines which often lead to deadly explosions in the coal pits.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2023.