Five coal miners hailing from Shangla district lost their lives in a tragic mine collapse in Kurram district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while rescue operations continue to recover the remaining bodies trapped under the debris.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred on Sunday in the Yasta Tora Warai area of Kurram, where six miners were working deep inside a coal mine when a portion of the mine suddenly caved in, trapping them inside. Rescue teams and local volunteers immediately rushed to the site and launched an operation to recover the trapped workers.

Authorities confirmed that five of the miners belonged to Shangla’s Puran tehsil, while one was a resident of Swat. The deceased from Shangla were identified as Tajullah, son of Sultane, resident of Ishar Kot; Ziwarur Rehman, son of Abdullah, resident of Ishar Kot; Shaukat, son of Tota, resident of Ishar Kot; Nazullah, son of Itibar Gul, resident of Landai Puran; and Jan Muhammad, son of Gul Sadbar, resident of Ishar Kot.

Rescue officials said that the body of Ziwarur Rehman has been recovered from the rubble, while efforts are underway to retrieve the remaining five workers. Heavy machinery is being used in the ongoing rescue operation, though progress is hampered by the depth of the mine and water accumulation inside, which has created hazardous conditions for rescuers.

Large numbers of relatives and residents from the victims’ hometowns have gathered at the accident site, anxiously waiting for updates. Witnesses described the atmosphere as somber, with families clinging to hope as the difficult recovery effort continues.

The tragic incident once again highlights the dire working conditions faced by coal miners from remote and underdeveloped regions like Shangla’s Puran area, where men often travel to distant districts in search of livelihood, risking their lives in unsafe mines.

Officials have yet to issue a confirmed statement regarding the total number of casualties, and the situation will become clearer once the rescue operation concludes.