At least 32 miners were killed and 10 others remain trapped following a devastating explosion at a coal mine in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, authorities said. Rescue teams continue to search for the trapped workers, although hopes of finding survivors are fading due to hazardous conditions inside the mine.
The explosion occurred on Thursday at a coal mine on the outskirts of Quetta. Government Chief Inspector of Mines Ghani Baloch said preliminary findings suggest that the blast was caused by an accumulation of methane gas inside the mine.
According to Baloch, rescuers initially recovered the bodies of seven miners before retrieving 25 more during the operation. Search efforts are continuing, but he warned that the chances of finding survivors are extremely slim because oxygen levels inside the mine have dropped significantly. He added that the safety of rescue personnel is also being closely monitored.
Balochistan’s Minister for Mines and Minerals, Shoaib Nosherwani, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees for each bereaved family. He also ordered the formation of an investigation committee to determine the cause of the disaster and directed authorities to review safety standards at coal mines across the province.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation alleged that the tragedy resulted from inadequate compliance with mine safety regulations. The organization called for strict action against those responsible and urged authorities to enforce international-standard safety measures at all coal mines.
Mining experts say many coal mines in Balochistan have long suffered from poor ventilation, inadequate gas detection systems, and a lack of modern safety equipment. Despite the risks, widespread poverty and limited employment opportunities continue to force many workers to take jobs in the province’s hazardous mining industry.
Source: Associated Press (AP) and Pakistan Provincial Authorities