Officials fear the death toll could rise as toxic gases, collapsed tunnels and near-zero oxygen levels hamper rescue efforts following one of Pakistan’s deadliest mining disasters in recent years.
BY PC Bureau
JULY 31, 2026: At least 32 coal miners have been killed and around 10 others remain trapped after a powerful methane gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, officials said. Rescue workers continued round-the-clock operations on Friday, battling hazardous underground conditions and dwindling hopes of finding survivors.
The explosion occurred on Thursday in the Sorange mining area, about 50 kilometres east of Quetta, the provincial capital. According to government mine inspector Abdul Ghani Baloch, a buildup of methane gas triggered the blast, which was so powerful that it also damaged two adjacent mines.
Dead bodies of 14 coal miners have so far been recovered after a methane gas explosion trapped more than 25 workers inside a coal mine in Balochistan’s Sorange area near Quetta. Rescue work is ongoing …. . #Pakistan #Balochistan #Breaking #CoalMine pic.twitter.com/lLgUEppMvW
— Sajjad Tarakzai (@SajjadTarakzai) July 30, 2026
Emergency responders rushed to the site soon after the explosion, recovering the bodies of seven miners during the initial rescue effort. As operations continued through the night, another 25 bodies were pulled from the debris, taking the confirmed death toll to at least 32.
Officials fear the toll could rise further as approximately 10 miners remain trapped underground. Rescue teams are working cautiously because the explosion severely depleted oxygen levels inside the mine and weakened the underground structure, raising the risk of further collapses.
“The chances of finding anyone alive diminish after methane gas explosions because oxygen levels drop to zero, and rescuers are also proceeding cautiously inside the mine,” Abdul Ghani Baloch said.
Heartbreaking scenes unfolded outside the mine as anxious relatives gathered, awaiting news of their loved ones. Authorities have begun handing over the recovered bodies to grieving families for burial.
Balochistan’s Minister for Mines and Minerals, Shoaib Nosherwani, described the rescue operation as “extremely challenging” because of unstable tunnels and the presence of toxic gases. He expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (about US$1,800) for the family of each deceased miner.
The provincial government has also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the disaster to determine whether safety lapses contributed to the explosion. Officials said mining safety protocols across the province would also be reviewed.
Initial reports suggested that around 36 miners were inside the mine when the explosion occurred. A coal miners’ labour union has accused mine operators of negligence, alleging that inadequate ventilation systems, poor gas monitoring and weak enforcement of safety regulations continue to put workers’ lives at risk.
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Coal mining remains one of Pakistan’s deadliest occupations. Fatal accidents caused by methane explosions, tunnel collapses and inadequate safety standards occur regularly, particularly in Balochistan, where hundreds of privately operated mines employ thousands of workers despite poor working conditions, low wages and minimal protective equipment.
The tragedy has once again highlighted long-standing concerns over worker safety in Pakistan’s mining industry, with labour organisations urging authorities to hold mine owners accountable and implement stricter oversight to prevent future disasters.
Rescue operations were continuing into Friday, with emergency crews racing against time in the hope of locating the remaining trapped miners, even as officials acknowledged that the likelihood of finding survivors was fading with every passing hour.
