Pakistani man rescued alive 16 days after buried under debris of collapsed mine

A labourer was rescued alive on Thursday after spending 16 days trapped under debris following a blast during mining operations that triggered a landslide in the Palodheri hills of Rustam, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Mardan district, in what officials had described as a rare and remarkable survival, Pakistan's leading newspaper Express Tribune reported.

The incident occurred on March 31 in the Nangabad area of Rustam, killing at least nine people and leaving three others injured. 

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Abbas Khan told The Express Tribune on the day of the incident that the blast took place in the Nangabad Darang area during mining activities, triggering a landslide that buried 12 to 14 workers under rubble.

According to Rescue 1122, the missing man — a resident of Mohmand district identified as Abdul Wahab — was recovered alive today after an extended search operation.

Rescue 1122 said he was safely pulled from the debris and provided medical assistance, adding that at the time of the incident, all persons had been recovered, while one person remained missing.

Following the incident, a wave of happiness spread in the area, while family members and local residents praised the efforts of Rescue 1122 personnel.

Landslides are a recurring hazard in several districts of KP, particularly in mountainous areas such as Upper Dir, Chitral, Kohistan and parts of Swat, where steep slopes and fragile terrain make communities vulnerable.

The phenomenon becomes more frequent during the monsoon and winter seasons, when heavy rainfall or snowfall weakens soil structure and triggers slope failures. Each year, landslides claim multiple lives, damage homes, block roads, and disrupt essential services, underscoring the persistent risk faced by residents in these regions.