The blast took place due to methane gas. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
QUETTA: A gas explosion killed eight coal mine workers in the Loralai district, Balochistan on Monday, an official said.
The district is nearly 600 kilometres southwest of Islamabad.
"The blast took place due to methane gas. Eight workers died on the spot while two others were taken to hospital after being rescued," said Mohammad Iftikhar, provincial chief inspector of mines.
He told AFP that the accident happened when 200 miners were working more than 600 metres underground.
Mines in Pakistan are notorious for poor safety standards and ventilation.
At least 43 workers were killed in March 2011 when explosions triggered a collapse in a coal mine in the province.
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Sad news for the relatives, friends and families of the workers. Coal mining is one of the dangerous profession. Advanced countries from U.S to China run into such tragedies on a regular basis. Toxic & explosive Methane is present in coal mines all the times anywhere. Only way to avoid is early Alarm, Gas presence signals and fast Escape routes which is not always easy in very deep complicated tunnels. Some form of fast signal system, oxygen cylinder, masks, Chimnies and fans are installed every few feet for safety and Gas scape/outlet. Records shows that despite all precautions workers die every once in a while in coal mining. Now few months back an illegal mining in KPK also killed workers by collapse of roof. A government inspector with full power to order urgent Shut-Down because of owner negligence is another way of stopping deaths. Usually it's after many Red Flag sign of negligence that an accident like this happens.