QUETTA, Pakistan – At least 32 coal miners were killed and 10 others remained trapped after an explosion tore through a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan on Thursday, officials said, as rescue teams continued searching underground despite diminishing hopes of finding survivors.
The blast occurred at a mine on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan Province. Authorities believe a buildup of methane gas triggered the explosion, underscoring longstanding safety concerns in one of Pakistan’s most hazardous mining regions.
Rescue Teams Continue Search
Emergency crews continued working to reach the miners still trapped beneath the surface.
Government mine inspector Ghani Baloch said rescuers initially recovered seven bodies before locating 25 more as search operations expanded deeper into the mine.
He said rescue workers were proceeding cautiously because methane gas explosions leave little oxygen underground and create dangerous conditions for emergency personnel.
“The chances of finding anyone alive diminish after methane gas explosions because oxygen levels drop to zero, and rescuers are also proceeding cautiously inside the mine,” Baloch said.
Authorities said rescue operations would continue until all trapped miners had been located.
Officials also warned that the death toll could rise as recovery efforts progressed.
Families of those killed began receiving the victims’ bodies for burial, while relatives of the missing waited nearby for updates from rescue teams.
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Government Announces Compensation and Investigation
Baluchistan’s Minister for Mines and Minerals, Shoaib Nosherwani, said emergency personnel were operating under extremely difficult conditions.
He expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced that the provincial government would provide compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (about US$1,800) to the family of each miner killed.
Nosherwani also said authorities would launch a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the explosion.
The review will examine whether safety regulations were followed and identify measures aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
Labor Union Calls for Accountability
A coal miners’ labor union said it believes negligence contributed to the disaster.
The Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation called on authorities to hold those responsible accountable and strengthen enforcement of workplace safety regulations.
The union urged the government to take firm action against mining companies that fail to comply with safety requirements.
Mining Safety Remains a Persistent Challenge
Fatal accidents continue to occur frequently in Pakistan’s coal mining industry, particularly in Baluchistan, where many mines have long faced criticism for inadequate safety standards.
Workers and labor organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about poor ventilation, insufficient gas detection systems and a lack of protective equipment.
Despite the risks, coal mining remains an important source of income for thousands of families in Baluchistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province.
Limited employment opportunities and widespread poverty continue to leave many communities dependent on the mining sector for their livelihoods.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
