QUETTA, Jan 28: Eight coal miners died after inhaling poisonous gas in a private mine in Duki area of Loralai district on Monday.

“Accumulation of methane gas in the coal mine caused the death of eight workers,” chief inspector of mines in Balochistan Iftikhar Hussian said, adding that two other workers who had fallen unconscious were under treatment in a hospital and their condition was improving.

According to sources, at least 10 workers went inside the mine on Sunday night, but did not come out despite the passage of several hours. Their other colleagues entered the mine, but returned immediately after smelling methane gas inside.

Rescue teams were called. They entered the mine and found eight workers dead and two others unconscious and retrieved them.

The miners were working at a depth of 1200 to 1500 feet.

A large number of coalminers held a rally in protest against the owners’ failure to provide them with safety equipment.