Six killed in Afghanistan coal mine collapse

A coal mine collapse in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday killed six miners and injured 18 others, local authorities said.

The incident took place in the Baghlan region of northern Afghanistan, where at least ten miners died in February 2022 in another coal mine collapse.

Syed Mustafa Hashimi, head of the provincial Information and Culture office, told AFP that part of the mine had "suddenly collapsed," killing the six.

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Eighteen people have been hospitalized, he added, without describing the severity of their injuries.

Afghanistan mines marble, minerals, gold, lithium and precious stones in addition to coal.

There is little oversight over the industry, and fatal accidents are frequent. Miners often work without adequate equipment or safety gear.

In December 2024, 22 men were trapped in a collapsed coal mine in Samangan, another northern province, but were rescued hours later.