MOHMAND: Death toll climbed to 24 as body of one more labourer was recovered from the rubble of collapsed marble mine in Ziarat area of Mohmand tribal district. Six people are still missing as rescue work continued for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday.

District police officer Tariq Habib told this correspondent here that rescue operation was underway. He said that personnel of the Pakistan Army, Mohmand Rifles, police and Rescue 1122, and PRCS volunteers and local people were participating in the rescue work.

The DPO hoped that the rescue operation would be completed within next two days as heavy machinery had reached the started and started operation.

In a related development, the deputy commissioner issued a notification that all marble mines not having NOC would remain closed.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami provincial chief Senator Mushtaq Ahmed visited the site of collapsed mine in Ziarat area where over 24 labourers were killed. He also met members of the bereaved families in the area and offered fateha for the departed souls.

Later, he told media persons that compensation announced by the government was insufficient and the ongoing operation very slow. He said that heavy machinery, medical team and ambulances should be provided at the site of mines.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2020