QUETTA — Rescue teams have recovered 32 bodies after a powerful methane gas explosion triggered fires and structural collapses in two adjacent coal mines in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta, officials confirmed on Friday.
Search operations continued through the night and into Friday for two miners still missing following Thursday afternoon’s disaster.
Explosion and Twin Shaft Collapse
The blast occurred in a private coal mine located about 30 kilometers northeast of Quetta, where 24 miners were working at a depth of nearly 4,000 feet. The explosion sparked a fierce underground fire, causing the shaft to collapse and severely damaging a neighbouring mine where another 12 workers were present.
At least 34 workers were killed in an explosion caused by methane gas in a coal mine in Pakistan’s southern Balochistan province.
The regional disaster management authority said in a statement: “According to information received from rescue teams deployed at the site, 34 bodies… pic.twitter.com/VWpAKdAkpf— Qatar Tribune (@Qatar_Tribune) July 31, 2026
Balochistan Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said that out of 34 miners working in both shafts, 32 fatalities have so far been confirmed.
- Hazardous Operations: Rescue teams and mining engineers had to carve alternative access routes, but high levels of toxic methane gas and ongoing fires made underground operations extremely difficult.
- Targeted Recovery: Efforts are still focused on the main explosion site in hopes of locating the two missing workers.
Government Inquiry & Financial Relief
The provincial government announced immediate compensation for the victims’ families and ordered a thorough investigation into safety protocol violations.
| Beneficiary Category | Announced Compensation | Official Directives |
|---|---|---|
| Families of Deceased Miners | Rs 500,000 per family | Probe initiated into mine safety standards |
| Injured Workers | Rs 300,000 per worker | Immediate medical assistance provided |
Balochistan Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said a high-level inquiry will determine how dangerous levels of gas accumulated and led to the blast.
This latest tragedy underscores the ongoing safety concerns in Balochistan’s mining sector, coming after earlier incidents this year, including a fatal collapse in Bolan in April and an accidental explosives detonation in Khanuzai in June.
