KOHAT: Nine coal miners were killed and four others were injured in a gas explosion in a mine in the Karez area of lower Orakzai on Wednesday, officials said.

Six bodies were retrieved from the mine and four injured were rescued during a joint operation launched with the additional support from neighbouring districts and mine and minerals department, said additional deputy commissioner Shehbaz Khan while speaking to Dawn.

Thirteen miners were working inside the mine when it caved in, he said. The injured were identified as Haider Ali, Mohammad Ali, Altaf, and Najeeb, all from Shangla, who were rushed to Kohat teaching hospital after being provided first aid on the spot, he said.

The rescue operation was under way till the filing of this report.

PM expresses grief and sorrow over loss of human lives

The deceased were identified as Khalid Khan, Jehanzeb, Khan Nawab, Faizan Khan from Shangla, Mohabat Khan, Mianwali, Arif from Dir, Nazim Ali, Mehrab Ali and Shoaeb of Orakzai district.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep grief and sorrow over loss of human lives in the coal mine blast in Orakzai. He prayed for the departed souls and for the early recovery of those injured in the incident. He also expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and directed the relevant authorities to provide all possible medical treatment to the injured people, PM Office said.

A local official Azam Khan said about 80 deaths had occurred in around 30 mine explosions in Orakzai and tribal subdivision of Darra Adam Khel due to alleged violation of safety guidelines.

Kohat division commissioner Mehmood Aslam Wazir expressed sorrow over the demise of the poor miners and ordered inquiry into the incident. He said that the mine department should provide latest equipment to the miners. He warned that strict action would be taken against those violating the safety measures.

He assured the families of the dead and injured of government’s compensation.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2022