28 Shangla miners among dead after methane gas explosion at coal mines near Quetta

Rescue teams have recovered 32 bodies overnight from two coal mines in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta after a methane gas explosion, while search operations remain underway to find two more miners, according to a report by Dawn citing an official.

SHANGLA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district is mourning the deaths of 28 young coal miners, including 23 residents of Mian Kaly, who were killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine on the outskirts of Quetta on Thursday. The Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association said that following the deaths of 23 miners from Mian Kaly, almost every household in the village was mourning the loss of a family member. Abid Yaar, president of the Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association, said that Mian Kaly had become the epicentre of repeated coal mine tragedies. “A total of 28 deceased workers were from Shangla district — 23 from Mian Kaly (Pir Abad), two from Kana, and one each from Bada and Gata Bely Baba,” he said. He added that the victims, aged between 17 and 25, belonged to the same families and were cousins or close relatives. According to Yaar, several of the deceased were orphans whose fathers had also lost their lives in previous coal mine accidents. He alleged that the tragedy resulted from the mine administration’s negligence and the absence of essential safety measures, claiming that there was no proper ventilation system in the government-run mine, which led to the deadly gas explosion. “It is not just an accident but a lifelong trauma for the families, orphans, widows and mothers who lost their loved ones. These young men had gone there only to earn a livelihood and support their families back home,” Yaar said. Responding to a question, he noted that Shangla lacked factories and other opportunities for skilled employment, forcing young people to work in hazardous coal mines and risk their lives to make ends meet. The victims’ family members criticised the government for not arranging ambulances to transport their loved ones’ bodies, adding that they had to bring the remains in a van at their own expense. According to the Shangla administration, one body arrived on Friday evening, with the others expected to arrive later at night and early on Saturday morning. Three of the miners who lost their lives in the tragedy were brothers. Earlier today, rescue teams recovered 32 bodies overnight from two coal mines in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta after a methane gas explosion, while the search for two more miners was underway. The explosion occurred on Thursday at a private coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, about 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. The methane gas explosion triggered a fire, caused the mine to collapse, and affected another nearby mine. Chief Inspector of Mines Balochistan Muhammad Atif told Dawn that 34 miners were inside the two mines when the explosion occurred. “So far, 32 bodies have been recovered from both mines,” he said. “The operation is continuing in the mine where the explosion took place to recover two miners.” The explosion severely affected another mine near the main site, with 12 miners working in the second mine at the time. In June, at least three people were injured after explosive material used in mining accidentally detonated in the Khanuzai area. In April, at least five coal miners were killed in two separate mine accidents that took place in the Bolan and Duki coalfield areas of Balochistan.

QUETTA: Rescue teams recovered 32 bodies overnight from two coal mines in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta after a methane gas explosion, while the search for two more miners was under way on Friday, an official told Dawn. The explosion occurred on Thursday at a private coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, about 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. The methane gas explosion triggered a fire, caused the mine to collapse, and affected another nearby mine. Chief Inspector of Mines Balochistan Muhammad Atif told Dawn that 34 miners were inside the two mines when the explosion occurred. “So far, 32 bodies have been recovered from both mines,” he said. “The operation is continuing in the mine where the explosion took place to recover two miners.” Earlier, officials said the explosion occurred on Thursday afternoon when 24 miners were working about 4,000 feet underground in the first mine. Soon after the explosion, a fire broke out inside the mine, causing parts of the structure to collapse. The blast was heard over a wide area of Sorange. The explosion severely affected another mine near the main site, with 12 miners working in the second mine at the time. Mining engineers and workers had created alternative routes to access the affected mines, but the presence of large quantities of methane gas and the fire created major hurdles in reaching the bodies and trapped miners deep underground. Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosher­wani announced that the provincial government would provide Rs500,000 compensation to the families of each deceased miner, while Rs300,000 would be paid to every injured worker. He also said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident.­ In June, three people were injured after explosive material used in mining had accidentally detonated in Quetta division’s Khanuzai area. In April, three coal miners were killed in a mine accident in Bolan.

QUETTA: At least 15 coal miners were killed in a powerful methane gas explosion at a coal mine on Thursday, while more than two dozen others remained trapped inside the mine in the Sorange coalfield, located about 30 kilometres northeast of the provincial capital. Officials said the blast occurred at a private coal mine in the afternoon when 24 miners were working about 4,000 feet underground. Soon after the explosion, a fire broke out inside the mine, causing parts of the structure to collapse. The blast was heard over a wide area of Sorange. The explosion severely affected another mine located near the main site. Twelve miners working in the second mine were also trapped. “A total of 36 coal miners were present inside both mines when the blast occurred,” Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif told Dawn. He said teams from the Mines and Minerals Department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) launched a rescue operation after reaching Sorange. He added that 21 miners were missing until late Thursday night as the operation continued. Fire, toxic gases hamper operation at Sorange coalfield “We pray for the lives of the trapped miners, but the chances of survival appear bleak as the coal mines caught fire soon after the blast, blocking access to the mine entrances,” Atif said. The chief inspector said the explosion was believed to have been caused by the accumulation of methane gas at a depth of around 4,000 feet, triggering a fire and filling the mine with hazardous gases. He said most coal mine explosions in Balochistan occurred due to the presence of methane gas. Mining engineers and workers created alternative routes to access the affected mines, but the presence of large quantities of methane gas and the ongoing fire created major hurdles in reaching the bodies and trapped miners deep underground. Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosher­wani said rescuers had recovered the bodies of 15 miners and were continuing efforts despite serious challenges caused by toxic gases, fire, and collapsed tunnels. He said all available resources had been mobilised to rescue the remaining trapped workers. “We share the grief of the bereaved families and will leave no stone unturned in completing the rescue operation,” the minister said. Nosherwani announced that the provincial government would provide Rs500,000 compensation to the families of each deceased miner, while Rs300,000 would be paid to every injured worker. He also said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident.­ Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026

QUETTA: At least two miners were killed and several others were feared trapped after an explosion in a private coal mine in the Sorange area of Balochistan’s provincial capital on Thursday. Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani confirmed the fatalities, adding that a rescue operation was underway at the incident site. “The rescue operation was launched immediately after the coal mine collapse incident in Sorange,” said the minister. Nosherwani added that the process of removing the debris and installing exhaust systems to reach the trapped miners was underway. “All possible assistance will be provided to the families of the affected workers, and necessary instructions have been issued to the relevant authorities,” said the minister. He further said that the chief inspector of mines and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) officials had reached the site on the instructions of provincial chief minister Sarfraz Bugti. Earlier, labour leader Pir Muhammad Kakar told Dawn that around 25 workers were inside the mine at the time of the explosion. “Three miners were rescued after the explosion. Around 22 workers remain trapped inside the mine,” Kakar said. Speaking to Dawn, Chief Mines Inspector Ghani Baloch said that the incident occurred at the Sardar Usman Coal Company. “Rescue teams, along with teams from the Mines Department, were dispatched to the site immediately after receiving information about the incident,” he said. Rescue 1122 Operations Director Riaz Raisani also confirmed that rescue teams were dispatched immediately after receiving information about the incident. “Due to the area’s distance from Quetta city and its difficult terrain, the teams have not yet reached the site,” Raisani said. According to the PDMA, rescue teams were dispatched to the site after receiving information from the police. “Four ambulances are also part of the teams dispatched on the instructions of PDMA Director General Jehanzeb Khan,” the PDMA official said. In June, at least three people were injured after explosive material used in mining accidentally detonated in the Khanuzai area. In April, at least five coal miners were killed in two separate mine accidents that took place in the Bolan and Duki coalfield areas of Balochistan.

QUETTA: An explosion in a private coal mine in the Sorange area of Balochistan’s provincial capital on Thursday trapped several miners, said an official. Labour leader Pir Muhammad Kakar told Dawn that around 25 workers were inside the mine at the time of the explosion. “Three miners were rescued after the explosion. Around 22 workers remain trapped inside the mine,” Kakar said. “All available resources should be mobilised immediately to rescue the trapped workers,” he appealed to the authorities. Speaking to Dawn, Chief Mines Inspector Ghani Baloch said that the incident occurred at the Sardar Usman Coal Company. “Rescue teams, along with teams from the Mines Department, were dispatched to the site immediately after receiving information about the incident,” he said. However, he added that it was premature to comment on any casualties or property damage. Rescue 1122 Operations Director Riaz Raisani also confirmed that rescue teams were dispatched immediately after receiving information about the incident. “Due to the area’s distance from Quetta city and its difficult terrain, the teams have not yet reached the site,” Raisani said. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), rescue teams were dispatched to the site after receiving information from the police. “Four ambulances are also part of the teams dispatched on the instructions of PDMA Director General Jehanzeb Khan,” the PDMA official said. In June, at least three people were injured after explosive material used in mining accidentally detonated in the Khanuzai area. In April, at least five coal miners were killed in two separate mine accidents that took place in the Bolan and Duki coalfield areas of Balochistan. This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.