Death toll rises to 34 in Quetta coal mine explosion

Quetta (Web Desk): The death toll from the devastating coal mine accident in Quetta has reached 34, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan confirmed.

According to the authority, rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of 34 miners, while efforts are still in progress to find and retrieve the remaining workers believed to be trapped inside the mine.

The fatal incident occurred in the Sorange area, where a powerful methane gas explosion caused the coal mine to collapse, leaving several miners buried underground.

Emergency responders continue their search operation as they work to recover those still missing.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the devastating coal mine blast in Quetta's Sorange area that resulted in the deaths of several miners.

In separate statements, the president and the premier directed the concerned authorities to make every possible effort to rescue workers still trapped inside the mine and ensure that those injured receive the highest standard of medical treatment without delay.

They offered sincere condolences to the families mourning the loss of their loved ones, prayed for the departed souls, and sought courage and patience for the bereaved as they cope with the tragedy.

The president and the prime minister also stressed that mine safety regulations must be enforced rigorously to safeguard workers and avert such heartbreaking incidents in the future.

President Asif Ali Zardari said the nation's labour force plays a vital role in Pakistan's development, adding that protecting the lives of workers is a collective obligation that must be fulfilled by the state.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the PDMA and all other relevant agencies to continue rescue efforts with speed and efficiency until every affected miner is brought to safety and provided with all necessary assistance.

He described the country's workers as a priceless national asset and called for lasting and effective safety mechanisms to ensure better protection for those employed in coal mines.