QUETTA, May 28: The Balochistan government on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the Sinjidi coal-mine gas explosion that claimed 15 lives.

"The rescue team reached the bodies, which are buried 2,500 feet deep inside the mine," Mines Chief Inspector Maqbool Ahmed said. Rescue workers faced difficulty due to the presence of methane gas, a mine worker said.

He said that according to initial investigation methane gas accumulated in the mine had caused the explosion. Balochistan Minister Sardar Masood Khan Luni announced a compensation of Rs50,000 each for the victims' families.

"Strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident," the minister said. told newsman after visiting the mine in Sinjidi. He said the government would review safety arrangements in private coal-mines. He said the company running the mine would pay a compensation of Rs200,000 and the federal labour welfare board Rs100,000 to the family of each victim.

The victims are: Khan Bacha, Mir Hamza, Bakhtair Khan, Mir Ahmed, Mohammad Hayat, Liaquat Ali, Rehmatullah Khan, Badrai, Omar Zameen, Bakhat Zameen, Raza Khan, Shadi Ahmed, Samiullah, Zafar and Omar Khaliq. They belonged to Dir and Swat. The bodies of seven men were sent to their towns while the remaining would be sent on Thursday.