Tragedy continues for Shangla's coal miners

Third fatal accident in six days claims five lives

SHANGLA:

The cycle of death continues for coal miners hailing from Shangla, as the region witnesses a third tragic incident in just six days. Five miners have lost their lives and three others have been injured in a string of coal mine accidents in Balochistan.

The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday at the Duki coal mine in Harnai district, Balochistan. A sudden buildup of toxic gas caused a deadly explosion, killing two miners, a father and his son, on the spot and injuring three others. The deceased have been identified as Wajid, son of Sher Afzal, and Sher Afzal, son of Dil Afzar, both residents of Mian Kallay Banda in Shangla. Their bodies were transported back to their hometown for burial.

The injured, Amir Muhammad, Ashraf Ali (both sons of Gul Rahman from Union Council Alpuri), and Noor Islam, son of Hakeem Khan from Jordh Dhery, are currently undergoing treatment at Quetta Civil Hospital.

Just two days prior, another tragic accident struck the Orakzai region at Sar Khuna Jungle Mines, where three Shangla miners were killed following a similar gas explosion. The deceased were identified as Sher Rehman (son of Gul Zaman, a resident of Pirabad Alpuri), Aslam Khan (son of Hayat Gul from Khomayar Dherai Alpuri), and Rahimullah from Shahpur.

Last week, yet another Shangla miner, Haider Ali, working as a mine manager, also lost his life in a separate accident within the mine.

Coal mining has long been a death trap for workers from Shangla. For over five decades, men from the region have ventured into hazardous coal mines due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities. These mines have become death wells, yet generation after generation continues to risk their lives for a livelihood.