QUETTA: Two coal miners were killed and another one was critically injured as a result of a blast in a coal mine in the newly-created Dukki district on Wednesday.

A group of coal mine workers was engaged in digging coal in the Dukki field area when the powerful explosion occurred and a fire broke out.

Coal miners working nearby, along with Levies officials, rushed towards the affected mine and launched a rescue operation. However, the huge fire engulfed the mine and did not allow the trapped miners to escape, causing two workers to burn alive while another received serious burn injuries.

“Bodies of two workers were retrieved from the burning mine,” the Levies said, adding that another worker was recovered from the mine in a critical condition.

“Methane gas accumulated deep inside the coal mine caused the blast and the fire to spread,” official sources said.

The deceased were identified as Nasibullah and Muhammad Rehim, while the injured, Kamaluddin, was shifted to the Bolan Medical College Hospital.

The mines chief inspector ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Published in Dawn November 17th, 2016