Pakistan Coal Mine Explosion Near Quetta Kills 34 as Rescue Teams Search for Trapped Miners
QUETTA, PAKISTAN: At least 34 coal miners have lost their lives, while several others are still feared trapped after a powerful methane gas explosion ripped through a coal mine near Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The explosion occurred at around 4:00 pm local time on Thursday in the Sorange mining area, about 50 kilometres from Quetta. The blast caused a major underground collapse, trapping workers and rapidly reducing oxygen levels inside the mine.
Rescue Attempts Turn Deadly
Following the explosion, several miners rushed into the damaged tunnel in an attempt to save their trapped colleagues.
However, without protective equipment, many of the rescuers were overcome by toxic methane gas and falling debris.
“Other miners descended into the mine after the explosion for a rescue operation, but they also died,” mine worker Ahmed Zada said.
Their actions highlighted the dangerous conditions inside the mine and the desperate efforts made to save those trapped underground.
Rescue Operations Continue
Emergency teams from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), local fire services, and volunteer rescue organisations worked throughout the night to recover victims.
Rescuers carried bodies from the collapsed tunnels on stretchers before transferring them to ambulances waiting outside the mine.
Search operations remain underway despite the dangerous conditions, including unstable tunnels and high levels of methane gas.
Low Chances of Survival
Government mine inspector Ghani Baloch said the chances of finding survivors decrease significantly after methane explosions because oxygen inside the mine is quickly depleted.
Despite the risks, rescue teams have vowed to continue searching until every missing miner has been accounted for.
Authorities have also started handing over the recovered bodies to grieving relatives gathered outside the mining complex.
Safety Concerns in Pakistan’s Coal Industry
The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over working conditions in Pakistan’s coal mining sector, particularly in Balochistan, where many mines operate with limited safety measures.
Labour rights groups have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen mine safety by introducing:
- Modern methane gas detection systems.
- Improved underground ventilation.
- Regular safety inspections.
- Better emergency response procedures.
- Stronger enforcement of mining regulations.
Calls for Improved Mine Safety
Mining accidents remain a recurring problem in Pakistan, with experts blaming outdated infrastructure, inadequate safety standards and weak enforcement of regulations.
The latest disaster is expected to renew demands for urgent reforms to improve worker safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
