34 Killed in Pakistan Coal Mine Blast

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Quetta: At least 34 miners were killed after an explosion ripped through a coal mine in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, with rescue teams continuing efforts to locate any remaining trapped workers.

The blast occurred on Thursday at a coal mine near Quetta and is believed to have been caused by a build-up of methane gas, according to provincial disaster management officials.

Authorities said rescue teams recovered 34 bodies during an overnight operation. The search continued on Friday, although officials had not confirmed how many miners were inside the mine when the explosion occurred.

Witnesses said several miners entered the mine after the blast in an attempt to rescue their colleagues, but some of them also lost their lives.

Relatives and rescue workers gathered at the mine as bodies were brought to the surface and transported by ambulances.

Mining accidents are frequent in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, where labour groups have repeatedly called for stricter safety standards and better enforcement. Despite its rich mineral resources, the province remains one of the country's least developed regions.

Pic Credit: AFP