Quetta mine blast death toll hits 34

The death toll from a methane gas explosion at a coalmine in the Sor Range area on the outskirts of Quetta rose to 34, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan said on Friday, as rescue teams continue efforts to reach the remaining miners trapped underground. The bodies of 34 miners have been recovered so far following the explosion, which occurred on Thursday after methane gas accumulated inside the mine. The blast caused a large section of the mine to collapse, trapping dozens of miners under the debris.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti took immediate notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Mines and Minerals Department. According to officials, 41 miners were inside the mine at the time of the accident. Rescue teams from the Mines Department, rescue services and the district administration reached the site shortly after the incident and launched rescue operations.

Efforts are continuing to locate and recover the remaining miners. Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said, "The miners were working at a depth of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 feet when the explosion occurred. The blast also damaged an alternative passage used to supply air and oxygen to the mine, creating significant difficulties for the rescue team".

Rescue personnel are using heavy machinery and available resources in an effort to reach the trapped miners. The recovered bodies are being shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta for legal formalities before being sent to their native areas. Authorities said the rescue operation would continue without interruption until all the miners inside the mine had been reached.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in a coalmine explosion in the Sorange area of Quetta, where several workers were killed. In separate statements, the president and the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to rescue all workers trapped in the mine and ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured. They extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of those who lost their lives in the incident.

They also prayed for grant of strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss with patience. They emphasized the need for strict implemen…