• Bodies of 32 workers recovered, as official sees no chance of survival of two others
• Probe ordered, financial assistance promised
• Emotional scenes witnessed as bodies of 23 miners return to native village
QUETTA/SHANGLA: The death toll from a methane gas explosion in a coal mine near Quetta rose to 34 on Friday, with officials confirming that all trapped miners had died as rescuers continued efforts to recover the last two bodies.
According to officials, the blast caused a collapse inside the main mine, trapping workers at depths ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet.
Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif told Dawn that all 34 miners trapped in two interconnected mines after the explosion had lost their lives.
“So far, 32 bodies have been recovered, while rescue teams are still trying to reach the remaining two miners. There is no chance of survival,” he said.
The remaining two bodies are buried about 4,000 feet below the surface. Rescue officials said attempts to create an alternative access route from the rear of the mine failed because of the rugged mountainous terrain.
Mr Atif said rescuers resumed efforts through the main tunnel despite the presence of a large concentration of methane gas, adding that recovery of the remaining bodies could take time.
Most of the victims belonged to Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and their bodies were transported to their native areas. Officials said 23 of the deceased hailed from one village alone.
Provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind announced financial assistance of Rs500,000 for the family of each deceased miner.
Later, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti ordered an inquiry into the incident, directing authorities to determine the causes of the explosion and identify any negligence or violations of mine safety regulations.
Shangla in mourning
A wave of grief swept through Shangla as news spread that 28 of the victims belonged to the district, including 23 young miners from the same village, Mian Killay in Pir Abad. The deceased included three brothers, while many others were close relatives. Residents said almost every household in the village had lost a family member.
Shangla Coalmine Workers’ Association President Abid Yaar said the victims, mostly aged between 17 and 25, had travelled to Balochistan to earn a living due to the lack of employment opportunities in their areas.
He said several of those killed were sons of miners who had themselves died in previous mining accidents, describing Mian Killay as a village repeatedly scarred by such tragedies.
Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026