The incident took place in Nangabad Darang area of Rustam during mining activities, one worker is still missing
At least nine people were killed and three others injured in an explosion during mining operations in the Palodheri hills of Rustam in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district.
Spokesman for Rescue 1122, Abbas Khan, said this Express Pakinomist, that the incident took place in Nangabad Darang area of Rustam during mining activities which triggered a landslide and buried 12 to 14 workers under rubble.
He said Rescue 1122 immediately alerted all relevant emergency response departments, adding that seven ambulances, a disaster response unit and an excavator were deployed for the rescue operation.
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He said rescue teams had so far retrieved 12 people from the wreckage, including nine dead and three injured, while at least one person was still missing.
The injured received initial medical treatment before being transferred to hospitals, with rescue operations underway.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the accident and expressed grief over the loss of life. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the deceased.
The chief minister directed the district administration and rescue agencies to speed up the ongoing operation and ordered an inquiry into the causes of the incident to strengthen security measures, stressing strict adherence to safety and security protocols to prevent similar accidents.
Special Information Assistant Shafi Jan expressed regret over the tragedy and condoled with the families of the deceased workers.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed grief over the deaths and urged the district administration to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols for workers during mining operations.
