TAXILA: Two persons were killed when a mound of soil collapsed while they were searching for placer gold along the banks of the Indus River near Sojhanda village in Attock on Wednesday, local sources said.

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when a mound of loose soil and rocks suddenly collapsed at an informal placer gold search site along the riverbank, burying the two workers under the debris.

Both victims died on the spot due to the impact and suffocation before any rescue operation could be launched. The deceased were identified as Tariq Khan and Waheed Khan, both residents of Attock district. Locals said the men were engaged in unregulated gold placer extraction activities along the Indus River, a risky practice often carried out without protective equipment or safety arrangements.

Area residents and other volunteers rushed to the site after the incident and managed to recover the bodies from the rubble. The local administration was informed, and legal formalities were initiated.

It may be mentioned here that such incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of labourers involved in hazardous informal mining along riverbanks.

Locals have urged the authorities to take preventive measures to avoid further loss of life. Official sources said further investigation into the incident is underway.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026