Nine dead after Balochistan coalmine collapse

Two miners rescued in critical condition

QUETTA: Death toll in the Degari coalmine collapse reached nine as one of the three miners rescued succumbed to his injuries.

Bodies of eight miners were earlier recovered from the Degari coalmine as the rescue operation concluded on Tuesday.

Two other miners who were rescued are also said to be in critical condition.

Eleven miners were trapped almost 3,500 feet underground after an explosion caused the mine to partially cave in.

The rescue operation was supervised by Zarqoon and Secretary Mines and Mineral Zahid Saleem.

Saleem stated those responsible for negligence leading to the deaths will be prosecuted.

The presence of poisonous gas inside the mine had made access to the miners difficult. It was stated that six relief workers participating in the rescue operation also fell unconscious due to toxic gas in the mine and had to be evacuated.

11 trapped after coalmine collapses near Quetta

According to the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation, about 100 to 200 labourers die on average in coal mine accidents across the country every year.

Labourers working at the mine held protests after the incident and demanded action against the people involved.

The Balochistan Mines Association on Monday also held a protest outside the Quetta Press Club against the rise of coalmine incidents.

According to leaders of the union, the government has failed to ensure safety of mine workers as owners and contractors are turning these mines into death holes. Poor working conditions inside the coalmines in Balochistan has been claimed lives of several miners in Harnai, Dukki, Mach and Sowrange areas.