QUETTA: At least 34 miners were killed after a gas explosion struck a coal mine in Balochistan’s Sorange area, while rescue teams continued efforts on Friday to recover workers trapped underground.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the bodies of 18 miners have so far been recovered from the collapsed mine. Rescue teams are still working to locate other workers believed to be trapped inside.
Balochistan Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said rescue personnel were facing extremely challenging conditions but were using all available resources to complete the operation.
“The Balochistan government is monitoring the rescue operation on a moment-by-moment basis, and no effort will be spared in the ongoing relief activities,” he said.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives, the provincial minister said the government stood with the families of the deceased miners and assured them of full support.
He said a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to determine the causes of the incident, while safety measures in the mining sector would also be reviewed to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The minister announced financial assistance for the affected families, saying Rs500,000 would be provided to the families of each miner who lost their life in the explosion.
He added that injured miners would receive financial assistance of Rs300,000 each as part of the government’s relief efforts.
