Coal Mine Blast Kills 34 Workers in Pakistan’s Balochistan
QUETTA- At least 34 coal miners were killed in an explosion at a mine in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, provincial disaster management authorities said on Friday, as rescue teams continued searching for additional workers believed to be trapped underground.
The blast struck the mine near Quetta on Thursday and is suspected to have been caused by a buildup of methane gas, triggering a rescue operation that continued through the night. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion, and investigations are expected to continue.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said rescue teams had recovered 34 bodies from the mine by early Friday. In a statement, the agency said joint rescue operations remained underway to locate and recover any remaining miners but did not specify how many people were inside the mine when the explosion occurred.
Witnesses said the initial blast prompted other miners nearby to enter the shaft in an attempt to rescue those trapped underground. According to Ahmed Zada, a mine worker at the site, several of those who joined the rescue effort also lost their lives after descending into the mine.
Dozens of relatives, fellow miners and emergency responders gathered outside the mine in the Sorange area, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Quetta, as rescue efforts progressed. Rescue personnel and workers carried bodies from the tunnel, placing them on stretchers before transporting them by ambulances and other vehicles from the site.
Images from the scene showed rescuers working in difficult conditions, with some emergency personnel wearing protective helmets while others assisted in moving victims from the entrance of the mine. Many of the recovered bodies were covered in soot following the explosion.
Mining remains one of Pakistan’s most hazardous industries, with fatal accidents occurring regularly, particularly in Balochistan, where many coal mines operate under challenging conditions. Labor organizations have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen mine safety regulations and improve enforcement to reduce the frequency of deadly incidents.
Methane gas accumulation is a well-known hazard in underground coal mining and has been responsible for several fatal explosions in Pakistan in recent years. Industry experts have long called for improved ventilation systems, regular gas monitoring and stricter safety inspections to minimize such risks.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area and one of its least developed regions, possesses significant mineral resources, including coal, copper and gold deposits. Despite its natural wealth, the province continues to face persistent economic and social challenges, with many mining communities relying on hazardous underground work as a primary source of income.
Authorities did not immediately provide details on the identities of the victims or indicate how long rescue operations were expected to continue. Emergency teams remained at the site on Friday, working to determine whether additional miners were still trapped beneath the rubble.