Quetta, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The death toll in the coal mine explosion in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has risen to 34, with rescue teams continuing efforts to recover the remaining miners trapped beneath the debris, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The explosion occurred on Thursday at a coal mine in the Sorange area after methane gas reportedly accumulated inside the mine. The blast triggered the collapse of a large section of the mine, trapping dozens of workers underground.
Officials said 41 miners were inside the mine when the incident occurred. Rescue teams from the Mines Department, emergency services and the district administration have been working continuously to locate and recover the remaining trapped miners.
Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said preliminary findings suggest the explosion was caused by the accumulation of methane gas at a depth of about 4,000 feet. The resulting blast reportedly ignited a fire and led to the build-up of hazardous gases within the mine, complicating rescue operations.
Atif noted that methane gas has been responsible for many coal mine explosions in Balochistan, highlighting the persistent safety challenges facing the province’s mining sector.
The latest tragedy has once again drawn attention to workplace safety standards in Pakistan’s coal mines.
Earlier this year, two miners were killed and another was injured in separate mining accidents in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Those incidents also prompted labour organisations and local residents to raise concerns over inadequate safety measures and urge authorities to strengthen enforcement of mining regulations.
The cause of the Sorange mine explosion remains under investigation.
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