PESHAWAR: At least nine workers were killed while three were injured after a marble mine collapsed in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, rescue and government officials said.
The incident took place in the northwestern city of Mardan’s Rustam area when a marble mine collapsed and trapped several workers underneath the debris, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi told Arab News. He said the emergency rescue service launched a rescue operation to help the workers trapped under the debris.
Special assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on information, Shafi Jan, expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the accident.
“The special assistant extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the nine workers who lost their lives in the incident and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased,” a statement issued by Jan’s office said.
The statement said the district administration and Rescue 1122 service officials started a timely rescue operation and recovered 12 mine workers trapped under the debris. He said of the 12 mine workers, three were injured and shifted to a local hospital.
“All available resources are being utilized to rescue more individuals still trapped under the debris,” Jan was quoted as saying.
He said rescue and relief operations were continuing under the supervision of district administration officials.
Poor enforcement of safety protocols has led to repeated accidents in Pakistan’s mining industry, particularly in coal operations, where dozens of miners die each year in explosions and collapses. Miners often complain that owners fail to install even basic protective equipment.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi directed authorities to provide the injured with immediate medical treatment, a statement issued by his office said.
“He also directed authorities to investigate the causes of the incident and to make safety measures more effective,” the statement said.
