Pakistan mine explosion kills 32 as rescue teams search for two
Key Takeaways
- At least 32 bodies were recovered from the coal mine.
- Two miners remained missing as rescue operations continued.
- Officials believe methane gas caused the deadly explosion.
Rescuers recovered 32 bodies from a collapsed coal mine in Balochistan, with two workers still missing after a suspected methane gas explosion.
At least 32 coal miners were killed after an explosion tore through a mine in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Thursday.
Rescue teams continued searching for two workers still missing at the coal mine in Sorange, near the provincial capital, Quetta. Officials said 36 miners were underground when the explosion occurred.
The blast is believed to have been caused by a build-up of methane gas.
Images from the site on Friday showed ambulances outside the mine, rescue workers gathered around the entrance and wooden coffins prepared for the victims. Teams were also seen working deep underground.
Muhammad Zeshan, an engineer and mine rescue and safety superintendent officer, said the collapse made the recovery operation difficult.
“Due to the mine collapse, we were forced to start a rescue operation through this mine, and we were able to retrieve the bodies,” he said.
“So far, we have recovered the bodies of 32 individuals, with only the bodies of two mine workers remaining, and our rescue operation is ongoing to recover them,” he added.
Coal miner Muhammad Shah said poverty continued to push workers into dangerous mining conditions.
“These people come here due to poverty and work in these mines, they are forced to do so and work in very dangerous places,” he said.
“Sometimes incidents occur and in this incident, all 34 people have died. Among the deceased, three were trying to save others, but unfortunately, they also lost their lives. This is the current condition of the mine,” he added.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
