12 colliers feared dead in Balochistan

Twelve coal miners were feared dead after a gas explosion at a coal pit in Balochistan on Thursday, officials said.

A local rescue team began the search for the workers in the private mine in Singidi, in Balochistan, before being joined by two teams from Quetta.

"An accumulation of methane gas caused the blast," said Abdullah Shawani, the head of the province's mining department.

"Twelve workers were inside a private mine when the whole mine caved in after an explosion," added Abdul Ghani Baloch, a senior official in the department.

He said that the rescue teams were slowed down because they could not find the entrance to the mine.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, confirming the incident, highlighted the persistent dangers miners face, stating, "Hazardous working conditions in coal mines continue to claim precious human lives daily." He further emphasized the challenges rescuers face due to the unstable structure of the collapsed mine.

Despite the difficulties, Rind assured the public that "all-out efforts are being made to rescue the trapped miners." However, he admitted that the risk for rescue workers remains significant, and so far, there are no updates on the fate of the 12 miners.

The spokesperson called for immediate attention to safety measures in coal mining, stating, "It's high time to prioritize safety to prevent such tragedies in the future." Rescue teams, supported by local authorities, continue their operations with hopes of a successful outcome.

Pakistan's mines are known to have hazardous working conditions and poor safety standards, and deadly incidents are not uncommon.

Twelve miners were killed in a gas explosion at the same mine in June last year.

With additional input from AFP