The death toll from a coalmine collapse in Balochistan’s Sorange area rose to 34 on Friday after rescue teams recovered six more bodies amidst ongoing efforts to retrieve any remaining miners trapped underground, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has sought a detailed report on the incident and warned that strict action would be taken in case of any negligence or misconduct. He has directed relevant authorities to ensure the strict implementation of safety regulations at coalmines across the province.
According to mine owner Qurban Jogezai, a methane gas explosion triggered the collapse. He said 42 laborers were working inside the mine when the incident occurred, adding all those trapped were residents of Shangla district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Also on Friday, a laborer was killed in a separate coalmine accident in Balochistan’s Harnai district. Police said the worker was carrying out his duties inside the mine when a large boulder fell on him, causing fatal injuries. He died at the scene and has been shifted to hospital for legal formalities.
Coalmine accidents are commonplace across Pakistan, as owners seldom implement adequate safety measures. Earlier this month, four laborers were killed and five others seriously injured when a wall collapsed inside a coalmine in Sindh’s Thatta district.