QUETTA: Four coal miners died and four others were seriously injured on Sunday when a blast occurred at a Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation mine after poisonous methane gas accumulated inside the coal mine in the Shahrag area of Harnai district, rescue officials said.
According to rescue sources, the incident occurred at the coal mine 151 of the corporation in Shahrag, where a powerful explosion took place following the accumulation of poisonous, flammable gas.
“Eight miners were trapped deep inside the mine as fire broke out after the blast,” said Balochistan Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif while speaking to Dawn.
He said that soon after receiving information about the incident, rescue teams and the local administration launched a rescue operation. Four miners were rescued in an injured condition while the bodies of four others were recovered.
After completion of the necessary formalities, the bodies were sent to their native area in Swat. The injured miners were provided initial medical treatment before being referred to Quetta for further treatment. The local administration is continuing further proceedings. Provincial Minister Noor Mohammad Dummar expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of four miners and injuries to four others in the incident.
He directed the district administration and Mines Department officials to ensure special safety measures to prevent accidents in coal mines.
Last month, three miners, including two Afghan nationals, were killed after inhaling poisonous methane gas while working inside a coal mine in Duki district of Balochistan.
In late July, at least 32 coal miners, most of whom were from Shangla, were killed in a powerful methane gas explosion at a coal mine in Quetta.
Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2026
