DUKI, BALOCHISTAN: Three coal miners were killed after toxic gas filled a coal mine in Duki district, in another deadly incident highlighting serious safety concerns in Balochistan’s mining sector.
The deceased miners were identified as Khan, son of Pai Muhammad, from the Barakzai tribe; Sirajuddin, son of Fateh Muhammad, from the Achakzai tribe; and Abdullah, from the Alizai tribe, a resident of Afghanistan.
The Duki coal mine accident has triggered strong criticism from the Pakistan United Workers Federation Balochistan. District President Sher Muhammad Kakar held the government and the Mines and Minerals Department responsible for failing to implement effective safety measures for coal mine workers.
Kakar said coal mine accidents in Balochistan were occurring frequently because adequate measures to prevent accidents and protect miners were not being implemented.
He said the condition of coal mines in Duki and other parts of Balochistan remained poor, while miners continued to work without adequate safety equipment and facilities inside the mines.
According to Kakar, negligence by relevant authorities and weak monitoring had contributed to repeated mining accidents and the loss of workers’ lives.
He demanded immediate steps to improve coal mine safety in Duki, provide proper safety equipment and facilities to miners, and take legal action against those responsible for the latest accident.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about miner safety in Balochistan, particularly in the coal-mining sector, where workers face significant risks due to hazardous working conditions and inadequate safety arrangements.
