Man rescued alive after 16 days trapped under landslide in K-P

The survivor identified as Abdul Wahab was pulled from the debris after an extended search operation

PESHAWAR:

A man was rescued alive on Thursday after spending 16 days trapped under debris following a blast during mining operations that triggered a landslide in the Palodheri hills of Rustam, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) Mardan district, in what officials had described as a rare and remarkable survival.

The incident occurred on March 31 in the Nangabad area of Rustam, killing at least nine people and leaving three others injured. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Abbas Khan told The Express Tribune on the day of the incident that the blast took place in the Nangabad Darang area during mining activities, triggering a landslide that buried 12 to 14 workers under rubble.

According to Rescue 1122, the missing man — a resident of Mohmand district identified as Abdul Wahab — was recovered alive today after an extended search operation. Rescue 1122 said he was safely pulled from the debris and provided medical assistance, adding that at the time of the incident, all persons had been recovered, while one person remained missing.

Landsliding due to a blast during mining operations in the Palodheri hills of Rustam in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district on March 31. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Landslides are a recurring hazard in several districts of K-P, particularly in mountainous areas such as Upper Dir, Chitral, Kohistan and parts of Swat, where steep slopes and fragile terrain make communities vulnerable.

The phenomenon becomes more frequent during the monsoon and winter seasons, when heavy rainfall or snowfall weakens soil structure and triggers slope failures. Each year, landslides claim multiple lives, damage homes, block roads, and disrupt essential services, underscoring the persistent risk faced by residents in these regions. 

By April 7, at least 47 people had died, and 77 others had been injured in rain-related incidents across several districts of K-P since March 25.

According to a report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), a total of 470 houses were damaged during this period, of which 409 sustained partial damage while 61 were completely destroyed.