34 Miners Die in Quetta Coal Mine Explosion

QUETTA: At least 34 miners were killed after a powerful explosion hit a private coal mine in the Spin Karez area of Quetta, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said on Friday.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by a buildup of methane gas. The blast triggered a major rescue operation, which continued throughout the night as emergency teams worked to find miners trapped underground.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 41 miners were inside the mine when the explosion occurred, and 34 bodies have been recovered.

“The joint rescue operation is still underway to locate and recover the remaining trapped miners,” the PDMA said.

Officials said the explosion caused a large section of the mine to collapse, trapping miners working around 2,500 to 3,000 feet underground.

Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said the blast also badly damaged an alternate ventilation shaft that supplied air and oxygen to the mine. The damage made the rescue operation even more difficult.

Most of the miners who died were from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials said the bodies of 11 victims had been sent to their hometowns after identification and the completion of legal formalities at Civil Hospital Quetta.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti took notice of the tragedy and directed the Mines and Minerals Department to submit an immediate report.

He also ordered a transparent investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and identify those responsible. The inquiry is aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

Balochistan Minister for Mines and Minerals Shoaib Nosherwani expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He also announced financial assistance of Rs500,000 for the family of each deceased miner and Rs300,000 for every injured worker.

Mining accidents are common in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan. Labour rights groups have repeatedly urged authorities to strengthen the enforcement of safety regulations and improve working conditions for miners.