QUETTA, April 1: At least eight mine workers were killed and four others, two of them seriously, were injured when a passenger wagon they were travelling in hit a landmine in the Chamalang area, some 400 kilometres northeast of here in the Kohlu district on Tuesday.

The eight persons — four Afghan refugees and four Swatis — died on the spot, Dr Jafar medical officer Loralai confirmed by telephone. The four injured were taken to civil hospital Kohlu.

According to sources the 15 miners working in the Chamalang coal mines were on their way to Loralai in a wagon when it was hit by a landmine planted in the middle of the road.

The names of the victims are: Shoukat Khan, Khan Nawab, Iftekhar Ali, Sarbaz Khan, Azizur Rehman, Painad Khan, Ghulab Khan and Mehrab Khan. Two of the four injured were identified as Wahid Gul and Sher Mohammad.

A case has been registered and investigation was in progress.

No arrest was reported.

It is said that over a dozen such incidents occurred in the last three years claiming almost 24 lives.

Three army officers were injured last month.