34 miners killed in methane explosion at coal mine in southwestern Pakistan

Explosion and rescue

A methane gas explosion ripped through a coal mine on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, on Thursday. The blast triggered an immediate rescue operation that continued through the night. Mine inspector Ghani Baloch said authorities initially believed 42 people were inside the mine at the time. Rescue teams first recovered seven bodies, then later found 25 more, according to local officials. By early Friday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority reported that 34 bodies had been recovered. The search for two remaining miners was ongoing, but Baloch warned that the chances of finding survivors were slim because the methane explosion would have consumed all oxygen.

The chances of finding survivors after a methane gas explosion are low because the oxygen level drops to zero.

Casualties and compensation

The disaster management authority's statement confirmed 34 fatalities, with 32 bodies retrieved and efforts underway to recover the last two. Balochistan's Minister for Mines and Minerals, Shoaib Nosherwani, expressed condolences and announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (about $1,800) for each victim's family. He said authorities would investigate the cause of the explosion and review safety measures at coal mines across the province. Witnesses told AFP that after the initial blast, several miners went underground to rescue colleagues, and some of those rescuers also lost their lives.

Safety record and context

Deadly accidents are common in Pakistan's coal mining industry, particularly in Balochistan, where many mines lack adequate ventilation, gas-monitoring systems and basic safety equipment. In 2018, 23 people died in gas explosions at two adjacent mines in the same province. Despite the dangers and low wages, thousands of workers depend on mining for their livelihoods in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least-developed province, where poverty and unemployment remain widespread. Labour rights organisations have repeatedly called for improved working conditions.