QUETTA: At least two miners were killed and several others feared trapped following an explosion at 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, stating that a rescue operation was launched immediately at the site. “The rescue operation was launched immediately after the coal mine collapse incident in Sorange,” the minister said, adding that efforts to clear debris and install ventilation systems to reach the trapped workers were underway.
Nosherwani pledged full assistance to the families of the affected workers and said necessary directives had been issued to relevant authorities. He noted that the Chief Inspector of Mines and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) officials had arrived at the scene on the instructions of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
Earlier, labour leader Pir Muhammad Kakar told Dawn that approximately 25 workers were inside the mine when the blast occurred. “Three miners were rescued after the explosion. Around 22 workers remain trapped inside the mine,” Kakar reported.
Chief Mines Inspector Ghani Baloch confirmed to Dawn that the incident took place at the Sardar Usman Coal Company. He said rescue teams, accompanied by Mines Department personnel, were dispatched immediately upon receiving the alert.
Rescue 1122 Operations Director Riaz Raisani also confirmed the rapid deployment of teams, though he noted that difficult terrain and the site’s distance from Quetta city had delayed their arrival.
According to the PDMA, rescue teams were mobilized following information from the police. “Four ambulances are also part of the teams dispatched on the instructions of PDMA Director General Jehanzeb Khan,” a PDMA official stated.
The incident adds to a string of recent mining accidents in the province. In June, at least three people were injured when explosive material used in mining accidentally detonated in the Khanuzai area. In April, at least five coal miners lost their lives in two separate accidents in the Bolan and Duki coalfields.
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