QUETTA: Three coal miners were killed in a gas blast in a mine in Sorange coalfield here on Monday.

According to officials of the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation, miners were working at a depth of 800 feet when a blast took place due to accumulation of methane gas.

The blast blocked exit points of the mine, trapping and killing the three miners.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, officials of the mines department launched a rescue operation and recovered three bodies. The victims were identified as Abdullah, Naseebullah and Mirza Khan.

The bodies of the miners were taken to Quetta Civil Hospital’s mortuary and later handed over to their family members.

The mine has been closed and an inquiry ordered into the incident.

It was the second such incident in the same area. Last month five miners had lost their lives in a similar incident.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bezenjo expressed his grief over the incident and directed the department of minerals to review measures ensuring safety of the coal miners working in mines.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2022