SWAT: The dead bodies of eight coalminers killed in coalmine in Jhimpir area of Thatta district were brought to their hometowns in Swat and Shangla Districts.
The tragic incident occurred when rainwater flooded a coalmine in Jhimpir area, leaving all the eight miners drowned besides one miner is still missing.
The deceased were identified as Sajjad Ali, son of Amir Rehman, resident of Sar Sardaray; Abu Bakr, son of Afzal, resident of Nimcha Bishbanr; Azeem Khan, son of Amir Nawab, resident of Sor Banr Kadoona and Ataullah, son of Rozi Rehman, resident of Wadana Gortai of Swat District, while Jehan wali Khan, son of Amanullah Khan; Mian Sher, son of Namus Khan; Perwaiz, son of Khairati and Gul Chaman, son of Yaras, resident of Amanwi, Shangla District.
Moving scenes were witnessed when the bodies reached their hometowns and people were seen to be in great shock. They blamed the Federal as well as Sindh governments for this tragic incident and demanded compensation for the bereaved families.
Gulab Khan Shahpuri, President Coal Mines Workers Welfare Association (CMWA), said the tragic incident occurred due to negligence on the part of the contractor and the mine owner. “The local administration, as well as the mine contractors and owners, had been warned in advance by the Sindh Government that there will be heavy rain, but they did not take any precautionary measures.”
He said that due to the breakage of the water channel in the coalmine three days ago, rainwater flooded mines, leading to the drowning of workers inside the coalmine.
“Due to delaying tactics of the administration and negligence of the mines contractors, the bodies of the labourers remained buried under the rubble for two days and as a result, the bodies were mutilated while one of the child labor is still buried in mines.” Gulab Shapuri claimed.
He demanded the government to announce compensation for the families of the deceased workers and take action against all those responsible for the incident.
