Search ends as all 34 miners recovered after Quetta mine blast

The search and rescue operation at the site of the deadly coal mine explosion near Quetta concluded

QUETTA: The search and rescue operation at the site of the deadly coal mine explosion near Quetta concluded on Saturday after rescuers recovered the bodies of the last two trapped miners. With the latest recovery, the death toll from the tragedy has reached 34.

The explosion took place on Thursday at a privately operated coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, located around 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. Officials said a buildup of methane gas triggered a powerful explosion, causing a fire inside the mine and leading to its collapse. The blast also affected another nearby mine.

Balochistan Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif confirmed that all 34 miners trapped underground had now been recovered. He said rescue teams worked continuously under difficult conditions to retrieve the remaining two bodies after recovering 32 victims on Friday.

Following the completion of the rescue mission, authorities sealed both mines and launched a formal investigation into the incident. A team of mining experts has been formed to determine the exact cause of the explosion and examine whether all required safety measures had been followed.

Officials said all the deceased miners belonged to Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Their bodies have been transported to their hometowns, where funeral prayers and burials will be held.

Authorities said 23 of the victims were residents of Pirabad, a village that has repeatedly suffered losses in coal mining accidents. Local representatives said most of the miners were young men between the ages of 17 and 25.

Community leaders said many of the victims belonged to the same families and were close relatives. Some of the deceased had already lost their fathers in previous mining accidents, reflecting the continued dangers faced by families dependent on coal mining for their livelihood.

According to officials, 24 miners were working nearly 4,000 feet underground in the mine where the methane gas explosion occurred. The remaining workers were trapped in another nearby mine that was also affected by the blast.

The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over working conditions and safety standards in Pakistan’s coal mining sector. Labour organisations have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of mining regulations, improved ventilation systems and better emergency preparedness to reduce the risk of fatal accidents.

Coal mining remains one of the country’s most dangerous occupations. Workers face constant threats from gas explosions, mine collapses, toxic fumes, suffocation and long-term respiratory diseases caused by prolonged exposure to coal dust.