Balochistan govt orders inquiry into Sorange coal mine disaster

Balochistan's government has launched a high-level inquiry into a deadly coal mine disaster that claimed the lives of 34 miners in Sorange. The Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) will conduct an on-site investigation into the July 30 accident. Their mandate is to determine the actual cause of the incident, review the performance of relevant authorities, fix responsibility for any negligence, and propose measures to prevent future tragedies.

According to an official notification, the CMIT has two weeks to submit its findings and recommendations to the chief minister. In parallel, the mines and minerals department has initiated its own inquiry. Authorities have sealed four coal mines, including the two directly impacted by the accident, as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Sorange mine disaster, one of the deadliest in Balochistan's recent history, trapped the miners deep underground. Officials confirmed all 34 victims hailed from the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The tragedy has reignited concerns over mine safety standards, regulatory oversight, and the enforcement of safety protocols within the province's coal mining sector. The investigation's findings are expected to guide future reforms aimed at improving worker safety.

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The inquiry has been tasked with establishing the actual cause of the incident, reviewing the performance of the relevant authorities, fixing responsibility for any negligence, and proposing measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.