At least 27 Afghan miners have been killed in the collapse of a coal mine in the northern province of Samangan, with around a dozen surviving miners thought to be still trapped underground.
Officials say the miners were working at the Abkhorak coal mine in the province’s Ruyi Du Ab district when the collapse happened on September 14.
Provincial governor's spokesman Mohammad Sediq Azizi said 20 other miners were injured.
Samangan's deputy security chief, Mosadiqullah Muzafari, said four members of rescue teams were badly injured and about 12 miners were still thought to be trapped in the mine, which is about 215 kilometers north of Kabul.
Workplace safety standards are poor in Afghanistan's mining industry.
In December, 11 miners were killed in a similar mine collapse in the northern province of Baghlan.
Officials say the miners were working at the Abkhorak coal mine in the province’s Ruyi Du Ab district when the collapse happened on September 14.
Provincial governor's spokesman Mohammad Sediq Azizi said 20 other miners were injured.
Samangan's deputy security chief, Mosadiqullah Muzafari, said four members of rescue teams were badly injured and about 12 miners were still thought to be trapped in the mine, which is about 215 kilometers north of Kabul.
Workplace safety standards are poor in Afghanistan's mining industry.
In December, 11 miners were killed in a similar mine collapse in the northern province of Baghlan.