22 Rescued in Afghanistan Mine Collapse, No Casualties Reported
Twenty-two miners have been successfully rescued following a Afghanistan mine collapse Dara-i Sof Payin district, located in the northern Samangan province. The incident, which occurred late Saturday, triggered an hours-long rescue operation that concluded with no casualties reported.
Esmat Muradi, spokesperson for the Samangan governor, initially revealed that 32 miners had been trapped underground after the collapse. “Excavators and rescuers have been working since early morning, but unfortunately the opening to the mine is not cleared yet,” he stated early Sunday.
Later in the day, the province’s governor, Mullah Muhammad Shoaib, confirmed that 22 miners were rescued Afghanistan mine collapse and that no further individuals were believed to be trapped. Video footage of the operation showed heavy machinery removing debris and rescuers using torchlight to navigate the mine. However, locals raised concerns over the lack of professional rescue teams on site.
The exact type of mine involved in the collapse remains unclear, though Afghanistan is rich in resources such as coal, marble, copper, zinc, lead, gold, and gemstones. Despite its mineral wealth, the country’s mining sector operates with minimal oversight, often leading to hazardous conditions and frequent accidents.
Historically, mining incidents have resulted in numerous fatalities across Afghanistan. In February 2022, a coal mine collapse in Baghlan province claimed the lives of at least 10 miners. Similarly, a gas explosion in Samangan caused a mine cave-in in June 2020, killing seven workers. In 2019, a tragic gold mine collapse in Badakhshan province resulted in over 30 deaths, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by miners in the region.
Afghanistan’s mining industry continues to suffer from a lack of regulation and proper safety measures, making such accidents a recurring tragedy in the lives of those dependent on mining for their livelihoods.
