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.

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.

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The crash occurred in the remote area of Dana Sar, where the bus veered off the road and fell into a ravine about 25 meters (80 feet) deep. Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said the vehicle had become overcrowded after taking on passengers from another bus that had broken down during the journey.

Authorities said the bus was carrying 48 passengers at the time of the crash. Rescue teams continued working for hours to identify those killed and transport victims from the difficult mountain terrain to nearby hospitals.

Investigation Underway

One injured survivor told local media from a hospital that several passengers objected after the driver stopped to pick up travelers from the disabled bus. The survivor claimed an argument followed and alleged that one passenger grabbed the driver by the neck before the bus went out of control.

Police said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The survivor’s account could not be independently verified.

Challenging Rescue Operation

Emergency workers, assisted by paramilitary personnel, descended the steep mountainside to reach the wreckage, according to official Noor Zaman. Rescuers carried injured survivors on stretchers while recovering victims using makeshift carts to move them back up the rugged slope.

Regional administrator Hazrat Wali Kakar said the injured and those killed were transported to nearby hospitals. Most victims were identified using personal documents, although three bodies had not yet been identified.

Families Seek Information

The accident prompted anxious relatives across Pakistan to contact hospitals, emergency services and police in search of information about family members traveling on the bus.

In the northwestern city of Peshawar, resident Nasir Khan said his brother had called from Quetta the previous evening to say he was traveling home on the bus. When he failed to arrive, the family feared he had been involved in the crash and sought information from authorities.

National Condolences

Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of those who died.

Road accidents remain a significant public safety challenge in Pakistan, where poor road conditions, limited enforcement of traffic regulations and unsafe driving practices contribute to frequent fatal crashes, particularly in mountainous regions. In May, a separate motorway collision in northwestern Pakistan killed 17 people and injured five others.

Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the remaining victims while investigators work to determine the cause of Friday’s crash.

Tags: Pakistan, Balochistan, Bus Crash, Road Safety, Quetta, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rescue Operation, Traffic Accident, Asif Ali Zardari, Public Safety, Emergency Response, Asia

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