Deadly coal mine blast in Pakistan kills 15, more than two dozen still trapped
Quetta, July 31
At least 15 coal miners were killed, while more than two dozen others remain trapped after a methane gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in the Sorange coalfield in Pakistan's Balochistan province, local media reported on Friday.
According to the officials, 24 miners were working about 4,000 feet underground when the explosion took place at a private coal mine, Pakistan-based daily Dawn reported. A fire erupted in the mine after the explosion, resulting in the collapse of the structure.
Another mine located near the site of the incident was also impacted. As many as 12 miners working in the second mine remained trapped. Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said that 36 coal miners were present in the two mines when the incident took place.
Atif said that the Mines and Minerals Department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have initiated a rescue operation, and 21 miners remained missing until Thursday night while the rescue operation continued, Dawn reported.
He stated that the blast was believed to have occurred due to the accumulation of methane gas at a depth of around 4,000 feet, causing a fire and gathering of hazardous gases in the mine.
Earlier in May, two miners were killed and another injured in two separate coal mine incidents in Shangla district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The first incident took place at Mine No 5 of Akhorwal coal mines. The sources revealed that two workers were buried under debris during operations in the mine. Rescue teams, fellow miners and local residents retrieved the trapped workers after carrying out a rescue operation for nearly two and a half hours, Pakistan's another daily The Express Tribune, reported.
In a separate incident, a miner died while working in a coal mine in Chaparmashti area. Local residents and labour organisations have voiced serious concern over the lack of safety measures in Pakistan's coal mines and called on the government and authorities to take notice of the issue.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is heartbreaking. 4,000 feet underground is incredibly deep, and methane gas is a known killer in mines. The authorities in Pakistan must conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the trapped miners are rescued as soon as possible. Prayers for their safety.
It's sad that even in 2024, miners are working in such hazardous conditions. The fact that this happens regularly in Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions shows a systemic failure. Governments must step in with modern safety equipment and regular inspections. No family should lose a breadwinner like this. 😢
This is a humanitarian issue, not a political one. We often see such accidents in our own country too. The focus should be on rescue operations right now and then on long-term reforms for mine safety. My thoughts are with the trapped miners and their families.
Just read the article. The lack of safety measures in coal mines is a huge concern. It's not just about Pakistan, but the entire region. In India, we also have issues like illegal mining and poor ventilation. We need to learn from these incidents and implement stricter regulations. The government must act before more lives are lost.
How tragic! I can't imagine the fear and panic those miners must have felt. The rescue teams are doing a dangerous job, and I hope they can bring everyone out safely. It also highlights why we need to shift to cleaner energy sources to reduce such reliance on coal mining. #PrayForMiners
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