QUETTA: Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 34 of the 36 miners trapped in a coal mine explosion in Pakistan‘s southwestern Balochistan province, with efforts continuing to locate the remaining two miners, officials said on Saturday.
“According to information received from the deployed teams, 34 dead bodies have been recovered,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in a statement.
The search operation is continuing in the Sorange mining area, about 40 kilometres east of Quetta, where rescue workers are attempting to recover the remaining two miners from the collapsed mine.
Pakistan coal mine explosion kills at least 32 miners
Accidents are common in Pakistan’s coal mining industry, particularly in Balochistan, where many mines lack basic safety measures. pic.twitter.com/5GNNjw0ek4— Shakeel Yasar Ullah (@yasarullah) July 31, 2026
Officials said rescue teams have been working continuously despite hazardous conditions caused by fire, toxic methane gas and collapsed tunnels.
ALSO READ: Methane Gas Explosion at Pakistan Coal Mine Kills 34
Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said all 36 miners were underground when a methane gas explosion ripped through the mine on Thursday, triggering a fire and causing sections of the mine to collapse.
Authorities said the explosion occurred around 4,000 feet underground and is believed to have been caused by a buildup of methane gas.
Rescue efforts have been slowed by ongoing fires, unstable tunnels and dangerous gas concentrations, forcing engineers to create alternative access routes to reach the affected areas.
Pakistan has estimated coal reserves of more than 185 billion tonnes, primarily located in the provinces of Sindh, including the Thar coalfield, Balochistan, notably Duki and Sorange, and parts of Punjab. Despite its vast reserves, the country’s coal mining industry is dominated by small-scale private operations and has long faced serious safety challenges.
Fatal accidents are frequently caused by methane gas explosions, roof collapses and poor underground ventilation. Many privately operated mines lack modern safety equipment, including gas detection systems, adequate ventilation and personal protective gear for workers.
