QUETTA: An Afghan coal miner died on Sunday after inhaling poisonous gas while working deep inside a private coal mine in the Shahrag area of Harnai district, officials said.

According to officials, poisonous methane gas accumulated inside the mine. While other miners were able to come out, one worker, identified as Abdullah, fell unconscious as he was working deep inside the mine.

Fellow miners immediately tried to rescue their trapped colleague but could not succeed due to the presence of methane gas in a large quantity.

The body was later recovered and shifted to a hospital in Shahrag, where necessary medico-legal procedures were carried out before the body was handed over to the family.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2025