A deadly explosion in a coal mine in northern Afghanistan’s Samangan province has claimed the lives of at least seven miners and left two others injured, according to local police authorities.

The incident occurred on Tuesday inside a coal mine located in the Dar-e-Suf Payin district, an area known for its mining operations. The blast was reportedly caused by a buildup of methane gas, a common hazard in underground coal mining, said Hashmatullah Rahmani, spokesman for the provincial police command.

Emergency rescue teams and security personnel were dispatched to the site shortly after the explosion. The bodies of the deceased were retrieved from the tunnel, while the two injured workers were evacuated and transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.

While investigations are ongoing, Rahmani confirmed that all fatalities occurred immediately following the blast.

Afghanistan’s mining sector has long been plagued by unsafe working conditions, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate regulatory oversight. Coal mines, in particular, have seen frequent accidents due to the lack of modern ventilation systems and safety protocols, putting miners at constant risk.

Local officials have yet to release the identities of the victims, and no details have been provided about the mine’s ownership or the number of workers present during the explosion.

This latest tragedy adds to the growing list of mining-related incidents in Afghanistan, raising fresh concerns about worker safety and the need for urgent reforms in the sector. (ILKHA)