Shangla (By Aftab Hussain)
At least five coal miners belonging to Shangla district lost their lives when a coal mine collapsed in Yasta Tora Wari area of district Kurram on Saturday. Rescue efforts to recover the remaining bodies are still underway.
According to initial reports, six miners were working inside the mine when its roof suddenly caved in, trapping all of them beneath tons of debris. Five of the trapped miners hailed from Puran Tehsil of Shangla, while one belonged to Swat district.
The deceased have been identified as Taj Ullah son of Sultane, Zewar ur Rehman son of Abdullah, Shaukat son of Tota, Naz Ullah son of Itibar Gul, and Jan Muhammad son of Gul Sadbar—all residents of Puran, Shangla.
Rescue teams have so far recovered the body of Zewar ur Rehman, while efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining five victims. Local volunteers, Rescue 1122 teams and district administration officials have been engaged in the operation since the incident was reported.
Sources said the collapse occurred after a portion of the mine’s wall and roof gave way due to soil erosion and poor structural conditions. Heavy machinery has been deployed, but rescuers face serious difficulties because of the mine’s depth and water accumulation inside the shaft.
Large numbers of local residents and relatives of the victims gathered at the site, expressing grief and anger over the lack of safety measures for workers in remote mining areas.
Observers noted that workers from underdeveloped regions like Shangla and Kohistan risk their lives in hazardous conditions to earn a livelihood, yet mine safety regulations and enforcement remain grossly inadequate.
Authorities have not yet released any official confirmation on the final death toll; clarity will come only after the completion of rescue operations
