Balochistan, Pakistan July 31: At least 32 miners have been killed and 10 others seriously injured in an explosion at a coal mine on the outskirts of Quetta in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to reports.
What happened?
A methane gas explosion occurred on July 30 at a mine on the outskirts of Quetta in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. It killed 32 miners and seriously injured 10 others. Initial reports put the death toll at 18 and 24 others trapped inside the mine, but the death toll is rising rapidly as rescue teams continue to pull bodies from the rubble.
Meanwhile, about 10 workers are still believed to be trapped under the rubble of the mine, and oxygen is being pumped in to save them. But toxic gas and collapsed rocks are hampering rescue efforts.
The massive explosion occurred after dangerous methane gas accumulated inside the mine. As a result, an estimated 4,500 feet of mine tunnels collapsed. Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has announced a compensation of 5 lakh Pakistani rupees (about US$1,800) each to the families of those killed in the mine explosion. Meanwhile, officials said an investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the explosion and whether safety rules were being followed in the mine.