An explosion in the Sanjdi coal field, roughly 40 kilometres southeast of Quetta, has trapped at least 12 miners due to methane gas. This incident underscores the persistent safety issues in Balochistan’s coal mines, where accidents commonly occur, and safety protocols are often ignored.
The blast happened Thursday evening as miners worked deep inside the mine. Abdul Ghani Baloch, Balochistan’s Chief Inspector of Mines, reported that rescue teams are attempting to reach the miners trapped about 4,000 feet underground.
The mine collapsed following the explosion, complicating rescue efforts. Rescue teams are clearing debris and looking for alternative ways to ventilate the mine and rescue the trapped miners, Mr. Baloch explained.
Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, the provincial Minister for Mineral Resources and Finance, ordered more rescue teams to the site and investigated the mine owner’s compliance with safety standards.
Mr. Nosherwani emphasized the strict enforcement of mining regulations and the need for mine owners to adhere to the law. He also directed the Mines Department to enhance safety measures and equip mines with modern safety technology to prevent similar incidents.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting miners’ rights and improving working conditions. However, despite previous promises by governments, effective regulation to protect miners remains lacking. A 2023 report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan highlighted infrequent and inconsistent mine inspections as a significant issue.
