A methane gas explosion at a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan killed 34 miners, authorities announced Friday, following an overnight rescue attempt. Rescuers recovered 32 bodies from the mine on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, and were working to retrieve the remaining two, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. Mine inspector Ghani Baloch stated that authorities initially believed 42 people were inside the mine when the explosion occurred Thursday. Balochistan’s Minister for Mines and Minerals Shoaib Nosherwani offered condolences to the victims' families and announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees, approximately $1,800, for each family. He added that an investigation into the cause of the explosion would be conducted, alongside a review of safety measures at coal mines across the province.
Deadly accidents are a frequent occurrence in Pakistan's coal mining industry, particularly in Balochistan. Many mines in the region are reportedly lacking adequate ventilation, gas-monitoring systems, and other essential safety equipment. Despite the inherent dangers and low wages, thousands of workers in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least-developed province, depend on coal mining for their livelihoods amid widespread poverty and unemployment.
