A methane gas explosion in a coal mine near Quetta, Balochistan, killed at least 34 workers on July 30, 2026.
Emergency teams are still searching for missing miners trapped deep underground in southwestern Pakistan.
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The blast caused part of the mining complex in the Sorange area to collapse while dozens of laborers were working.
Most of the injured and affected workers came from the Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Rescue operations are targeting a depth of 1,219 meters to locate possible survivors. Severe oxygen depletion after the gas ignition poses critical hazards to trapped personnel.
Rescue Efforts and Official Response
A disaster management authority official detailed ongoing efforts during the rescue attempt.
"The joint rescue operation is still ongoing to locate and free the remaining trapped miners," the organization said.
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Emergency workers and fellow miners faced extreme danger immediately after the initial blast during early relief efforts.
"After the explosion, miners went into the coal mine to help and were also killed," said Ahmed Zada, a miner present at the scene.
Provincial officials confirmed that about 36 workers were inside the affected section when the collapse occurred. Severe ventilation and safety issues compounded the risks.
"We hope to find some miners alive, but the chances are very small," said Muhammad Atif, an official in Balochistan province.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti requested a comprehensive report on the disaster. He warned of strict action if the investigation reveals negligence or misconduct.
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Mine safety breaches remain a recurring problem across regional facilities.
