Pakistani authorities have reported that nine miners have been killed and four others seriously injured in an explosion at a coal mine in the Orakzai region of western Pakistan.
The emergency services, which have completed the rescue work, have recovered all the bodies.
At the time of the collapse, thirteen workers were working inside the mine, authorities told the newspaper ‘Dawn’.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has expressed his «deep sorrow and grief», expressing his condolences to the families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Kohat Governor Mehmood Aslam Wazir has ordered an investigation into the incident, while urging the Mines Department to provide state-of-the-art equipment to the miners.
He has also warned that he will take strict action against those who violate safety measures. He has also assured that those affected will receive compensation from the government.