2 miners killed in trolley accident in Balochistan coal mine

Published January 27, 2019
Two coal miners died when a trolley hit them inside a coal mine in Balochistan's coal-rich Dukki district on Sunday morning. — Reuters/File
Two coal miners died when a trolley hit them inside a coal mine in Balochistan's coal-rich Dukki district on Sunday morning. — Reuters/File

Two miners died after being hit by a trolley inside a coal mine in Balochistan's coal-rich Dukki district on Sunday morning.

According to Levies sources, the miners were extracting coal from deep within the mine when the trolley hit them. The bodies of the two miners, who died on the spot, have been shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Dukki.

The sources said the deceased miners who were from Afghanistan had been working in the Dukki coal mines for the last few years.

"[There is] no safety for coal miners," said the central leader of Pakistan Mines Labour Association, Bakht Nawab, adding that miners extract coal at the cost of their lives.

Coal miners also claim that they pay taxes to the Balochistan government for their safety. "We pay Rs120 as a miner safety tax to the government", Fateh Shah Arif, a coal mine owner told DawnNewsTV.

He said it was the responsibility of government along with coal mine owners to improve working conditions for miners.

Hazardous working conditions inside coal mines of Balochistan are often cited as the reason behind the loss of precious human lives.

According to statistics provided by the provincial Mines and Minerals Development Department, over 1,000 coal miners have died in such kind of incidents during the last 18 years in Balochistan.

This month alone, 13 coal miners have died in Dukki. Sunday's incident comes days after a methane gas blast inside a coal mine in the district claimed the lives of six miners.

Daily production of coal in various parts of Balochistan comes to about 20,000 tonnes.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.