QUETTA: Twenty six persons are reported to have been killed and many others injured, some of them seriously, in a blast in the magazine room of the WPIDC coal-mines at Shahrigh in Sibi district of Quetta division. First reports said that those killed include four mine managers, a foreman and a store-keeper. Twenty other dead could not be identified.

Reports reaching here said that the magazine room started smouldering at about noon today [June 6]. On receiving the information the mine managers and other staff of the WPIDC rushed to the site of the accident, about half a mile from the main office. At about 15-30 the magazine room is said to have blasted, taking the victims into its lap. Those seriously injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Quetta.

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in Karachi,] Abu Dhabi has asked for assistance from Pakistan in organising archaeological excavations and setting up museums in that country. The request was made by Mr Hussain Mundeel, Director of Antiquities and Museums in Abu Dhabi, during his recent visit to Pakistan. … The request is being studied by the Government and no formal commitment has been made so far, but in all probability full assistance will be made available as is done in case of other friendly countries.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2020