A rescue operation is underway in the Sanjdi area near Quetta following a coal mine explosion that caused the mine to collapse. Four miners’ bodies have been recovered, while efforts continue to locate eight others.
According to reports, the collapse trapped 12 miners approximately 4,000 feet underground. So far, four bodies have been retrieved. Chief Mines Inspector stated that rescue teams have cleared debris up to 3,600 feet and are hopeful of reaching the remaining trapped miners soon.
However, the chances of survival for the eight miners remain slim, with rescue efforts facing significant challenges.
Coal mine accidents are frequent in Balochistan, where mine owners often disregard safety protocols, forcing workers to operate in hazardous conditions. Last year, 46 accidents in coal mines claimed the lives of 82 miners.
In June of last year, a gas build-up in a Sanjdi coal mine caused an explosion that killed at least 11 miners.
A 2023 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan highlighted the lack of implementation of safety standards in coal mines across Balochistan.
