Death toll in Soranj coal mine explosion rises to 34 as rescue operation continues
Around 42 workers were trapped in mine: Balochistan govt announce half million ruppees each for families of deceased workers
The death toll from the coal mine explosion in Balochistan’s Soranj area has risen to 34 after rescue teams recovered more bodies from the collapsed mine, officials said on Friday.
More than 42 miners were working inside the private coal mine in the Spin Karez area when an explosion triggered a collapse. Three workers were safely evacuated.
According to the PDMA, 42 miners were trapped due to a gas explosion in the Soranj coal mine. The Balochistan government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased mine workers.
Rescue teams were continuing efforts to reach the remaining miners believed to be trapped beneath debris and inside gas-filled sections of the mine.
Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said all available resources were being used in the rescue operation. He said relevant departments and emergency agencies were jointly working at the site to clear debris, improve ventilation and reach the trapped workers.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority dispatched rescue teams to the area after receiving information from police. Four ambulances were also sent on the instructions of PDMA Director General Jahanzeb Khan.
Officials said toxic gases, unstable underground passages and accumulated debris were complicating the rescue operation.
Nosherwani said Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti had directed the chief inspector of mines and senior PDMA officials to reach the site and supervise the operation.
He added that the provincial government was continuously monitoring the rescue effort and had placed personnel, machinery and other emergency resources at the disposal of the teams working underground.
Labour leader Pir Muhammad Kakar earlier said around 42 workers were present inside the mine at the time of the explosion. He appealed to the government and rescue authorities to use every available resource to save those still trapped.
Families of the miners gathered near the site and waited for updates as rescue workers continued the operation.
The provincial government has assured the affected families that all possible assistance will be provided. Instructions have also been issued to the relevant authorities to facilitate the rescue operation and support the victims’ relatives.
Nosherwani said mining safety measures would be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the explosion and examine whether the private mine had complied with mandatory ventilation and workplace safety requirements.