Pakistan coal mine explosion in Balochistan kills at least 11 miners, dozens still missing

A coal mine explosion in Pakistan's Balochistan province has killed at least 11 miners and left dozens more missing, according to officials involved in the rescue effort. The blast happened on Thursday in Sorange, a remote area near the provincial capital, Quetta. Rescue teams have been working underground to reach those trapped in the collapsed section of the mine.

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Government mine inspector Ghani Baloch said the explosion was believed to have been triggered by a buildup of methane gas. He said the bodies of the miners were recovered hours after the blast. Muhammad Atif, the province's chief inspector of mines, said 36 people were in the collapsed part of the complex when the explosion occurred.

He added that 28 were still missing by late Thursday night, with rescue work continuing at a depth of 4,000 feet, or 1,219 metres. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other emergency responders are assisting the search, which officials said will continue until all of the trapped miners are accounted for. Atif said rescuers were still hopeful of finding some miners alive, although he said the chances were low.

The scale of the operation reflects the depth of the collapse and the number of workers believed to have been underground when the blast happened. The incident has again drawn attention to safety conditions in Pakistan's coal mining sector, especially in Balochistan. The province is Pakistan's largest but least developed, and many mines there are described as lacking basic safety measures.

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Accidents are said to be common in the industry, with concerns repeatedly raised about ventilation, gas monitoring and protective equipment. Labour groups and mineworkers have long accused mine owners of failing to enforce safety regulations. The latest explosion also highlights the dependence of thousands of workers on coal mining for their livelihoods despite the risks and low wages.

In a province where unemployment and poverty remain widespread, the sector remains economically important even as safety concerns persist. What remains unclear is whether any of the missing miners will be found alive and how many people may still be trapped underground. Officials have not given a final account of the total number affected beyond the 36 people reported in the collapsed section.

Rescue efforts are continuing, and further updates are expected as teams work deeper into the mine and assess the full extent of the disaster.

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