QUETTA, Pakistan: The Sorange coal mine blast killed at least 34 workers near Quetta, Balochistan, after methane gas triggered an underground explosion and collapse on July 30, authorities said.
The Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority said rescuers had recovered 34 bodies by Friday morning. Teams continued searching for other miners who might still be trapped, but the authority did not provide a current count of missing persons.
The explosion struck a remote coalfield northeast of Quetta and damaged two neighbouring mines. Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif initially said 36 workers had been inside the affected sections. Search teams operated at a depth of about 4,000 feet (1,219 meters).
34 miners KILLED in coal mine explosion, southern Pakistan pic.twitter.com/hSZBlQNcfW
— RT (@RT_com) July 31, 2026Fire, collapsed tunnels and toxic gases obstructed access to the underground workings. Mining engineers and workers opened alternative routes as teams attempted to reach inaccessible sections.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Mines and Minerals Department, Rescue 1122 and local workers took part in the operation. The latest Radio Pakistan update confirmed that recovery efforts remained underway.
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Balochistan Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani announced Rs500,000 in compensation for each deceased miner’s family and Rs300,000 for every injured worker. He also ordered an inquiry into the disaster.
