Death toll rises to 32 in Quetta coal mine explosion, search continues for two miners

A methane gas explosion at two coal mines in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta has killed at least 32 miners, while rescue teams continued searching for two others still believed to be trapped, officials said on Friday.

The explosion occurred on Thursday at a private coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, around 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. The blast triggered a fire and caused the mine to collapse, also affecting a nearby mine.

Chief Inspector of Mines Balochistan Muhammad Atif said 34 miners were inside the two mines when the explosion took place.

"So far, 32 bodies have been recovered from both mines," he said, adding that rescue workers were continuing operations to locate the remaining two miners.

According to officials, the explosion occurred while miners were working about 4,000 feet underground. The fire and collapse complicated rescue efforts, while high levels of methane gas hampered access to the affected areas.

The second mine, located close to the main site, was also damaged by the explosion, with 12 miners inside at the time.

Rescue teams, assisted by mining engineers and workers, created alternative access routes to reach the trapped miners, but hazardous conditions slowed the operation.