On Thursday, July 30, a private coal mine in southwest Pakistan suffered an explosion followed by a collapse, according to the latest official report. The accident has resulted in at least 32 miners losing their lives, with 10 others trapped underground. Rescue teams are racing against time to search for survivors.
This tragic incident took place in the Sorange mining area near Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, as reported by various media outlets.
Local senior mining official Abdul Ghani Baloch confirmed that the disaster was triggered by a high concentration of methane gas, which caused a severe explosion leading to the damage and collapse of two adjacent mines. Currently, rescue teams are working tirelessly in harsh underground conditions to locate missing individuals.
Provincial Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif stated that the rescue operation is currently taking place at a depth of 4,000 feet (approximately 1,219 meters) underground. He admitted, “We still hold hope and pray to find survivors, but the chances of survival are indeed very slim.”
Baloch added, “The chances of survival after a methane gas explosion are extremely slim, as the underground oxygen levels are very low and toxic gases have accumulated, requiring rescue personnel to proceed with caution inside the mine.”
Authorities and provincial disaster management agencies announced in a statement that after the explosion, 7 bodies were initially recovered, followed by the discovery of 25 more bodies by emergency responders. The statement also mentioned that the search and rescue operation is ongoing, with rescue teams working hard to locate and extricate the remaining trapped miners.
The provincial mining department stated that each family of the deceased miners will receive compensation of 500,000 Pakistani Rupees (approximately $1,800), and a comprehensive investigation into the specific causes of the explosion will be conducted. Additionally, mine safety measures will be reviewed to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Fatal accidents in Pakistan’s coal mining industry are not uncommon, especially in resource-rich Balochistan province, where many mines lack adequate ventilation, gas monitoring systems, and other basic safety measures. Multiple coal mining accidents resulting in fatalities have occurred in the province in April and June this year.
Mining and labor unions have long criticized mine owners for failing to enforce safety regulations or provide sufficient protective equipment. Despite the risks and low wages, thousands of miners rely on Balochistan’s coal mines for their livelihoods. The province is Pakistan’s largest but least developed region, experiencing widespread issues of unemployment and poverty.