34 Dead as Gas Explosion Collapses Coal Mines Near Quetta.
At least 34 coal miners lost their lives after a powerful methane gas explosion buried sections of a mining complex in Sorange, located 30 to 50 kilometers from Quetta.
The explosion occurred during a shift change, triggering an underground fire and causing severe structural collapses across two adjacent, private coal mines.
Build-Up of Methane Gas Blamed
Senior mining official Abdul Ghani Baloch confirmed that a heavy accumulation of methane gas caused the initial blast, which damaged both facilities simultaneously.
According to mine owner Qurban Jogezai and disaster management officials, laborers were working at extreme depths ranging between 2,500 and 4,000 feet when the explosion struck.
Difficult Rescue Amid Toxic Conditions
Search and rescue operations faced extreme hazards, including blocked shaft entrances, intense fire, burning debris, and zero oxygen levels deep inside the pit.
Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif stated that the secondary ventilation and emergency access routes were destroyed in the blast, significantly slowing recovery efforts. Local accounts noted that several fellow miners who rushed in to attempt an immediate rescue also succumbed to toxic gas fumes and fire.
Impact on Shangla Migrant Workers
Nearly all the deceased miners hailed from the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the heavy reliance on migrant labor in Balochistan’s coalfields. Relatives gathered outside the mine entrances as rescue teams worked through the night to retrieve bodies.
Teams from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed the recovery of 34 bodies as operations continued to clear the damaged shafts.
Government Inquiry and Compensation
Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Shoaib Nosherwani expressed deep condolences and announced financial compensation of Rs 500,000 for each victim’s family, alongside Rs 300,000 for injured workers.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti ordered a formal, transparent inquiry into the disaster, directing officials to review safety enforcement across all operating coalfields. Labor unions and the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation reiterated demands for strict action against mine owners who violate basic ventilation, gas monitoring, and worker registration regulations.
