Incident occurred in Nangabad Darang area of Rustam during mining activities, one worker still missing
At least nine people were killed and three others injured in a blast during mining operations in the Palodheri hills of Rustam in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Abbas Khan told The Express Tribune that the incident occurred in the 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 issued alerts to all relevant departments for emergency response, adding that seven ambulances, a disaster response vehicle 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 debris, 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 ongoing.
K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the accident and expressed grief over the loss of lives. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and offered prayers for the deceased.
The chief minister instructed the district administration and rescue agencies to expedite the ongoing operation and ordered an investigation into the causes of the incident to strengthen safety measures, emphasising strict adherence to security and safety protocols to prevent similar accidents.
Special Assistant on Information Shafi Jan expressed regret over the tragedy, offering condolences to 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.
