34 killed as methane explosion tears through Pakistan coal mine

A methane gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Thursday, killing at least 34 miners and leaving 10 others trapped underground. Rescuers raced against time to reach those still alive, but officials warned the death toll was likely to rise.

The blast occurred on the outskirts of Quetta, the provincial capital. Government mine inspector Ghani Baloch said the explosion was apparently triggered by a buildup of methane gas. Rescue teams initially found seven bodies before locating 25 more, according to provincial officials and the disaster management agency. The search continued, but Baloch noted that chances of survival diminish rapidly after such explosions due to dropping oxygen levels.

“

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.

Authorities began returning the recovered bodies to families for burial. Relatives of the missing miners anxiously awaited updates. Shoaib Nosherwani, the provincial minister for mines and minerals, expressed condolences and announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (about $1,800) for each victim's family. He also pledged a thorough investigation into the cause and a review of safety measures.

However, the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation alleged that negligence may have contributed to the disaster. The union urged the government to strictly enforce safety regulations and penalize companies that violate them. Fatal accidents are common in Pakistan's coal mines, especially in Balochistan, where many mines lack adequate ventilation and gas monitoring. Labour groups have repeatedly accused owners of ignoring safety standards and failing to provide protective equipment, despite the hazardous conditions and low wages that drive thousands to work in the mines.

“

The effort was safeguarding the legitimate and lawful rights and interests, as well as the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait.