Disaster in Mohmand: Explosives trigger mine collapse; 10 dead

Death toll expected to rise as rescuers recover four bodies

LAKARO: At least 10 people were killed on Saturday when a marble mine collapsed in the Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency. Officials expect the death toll could rise.

Local miner Mir Wais Khan said the incident took place at Jalat Haji marble mine at Khanqah Ziarat mountain in Safi at 3pm. “Around 15 people – 11 miners, two truckers and their two helpers – were at the site when the mine caved in,” he told The Express Tribune by phone.

After the incident, other miners rushed to the site, called heavy machinery from other mines and started a rescue operation. “Four bodies, including that of a trucker, have been pulled out from underneath the huge boulders,” he said, adding that a seriously injured miner was also recovered and shifted to hospital where he is said to be in a critical condition.  “There are slim chances of finding more survivors,” he added.



A political administration official, Miraj Khan, confirmed 10 fatalities, identifying them as Sadeequllah, Waheed Gul, Shakir Khan, Muhammad Wali, Sher Zaman, Hazrat Said, Naseeb Gul, Zahor Khan, Tayub and Ibrar Khan. “Troops from the Khasadar force and Frontier Corps are also helping with the rescue operation which is ongoing,” he added.

Senator Hilal Rehman claimed that the mine collapsed as the miners used explosives to excavate marble from the mine. “The government should provide the mines with heavy machinery and build a social security hospital at the site as the Fata secretariat and political administration receive billions of rupees annually in taxes from these mines,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2015.