The remains of 12 miners buried in a coal mine in Sanjdi, near Quetta, have been retrieved and transported to their hometown, Shangla.
Among the victims were two brothers from Shangla; one of them was a minor.
The two brothers departed from home with the aspiration of alleviating poverty and providing for their family. A family member remarked, “The family held great expectations for them, but their premature demise has enveloped the entire household in grief.”
Illicit Mining: A Significant Contributor to Catastrophes
Ali Butt, a leader of the Central Mines Liberation, lamented the occurrence and emphasized that illicit mining operations are the principal cause of such accidents. He additionally stated that all illicit mines function under political influence and that there are no exemplary mines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that provide safety and adequate working conditions.
“We request a judicial investigation into these incidents to ensure accountability for those responsible.”
Shangla’s Youth at Risk
A concerning 75% of Shangla’s youth are employed in coal mines, encountering daily hazards due to the incompetence of mine management.
This tragedy raises serious concerns about the lack of safety measures in coal mines, calling for immediate attention and reform to prevent further loss of lives.
