Overview
- Officials said a powerful methane gas explosion tore through the Sorange coalfield on Thursday, collapsing tunnels and forcing rescue teams to work at depths reported near 4,000 feet to reach trapped miners.
- The Provincial Disaster Management Authority reported 34 bodies recovered so far and said joint rescue teams remain on site trying to locate any remaining workers.
- Provincial ministers ordered an inquiry and pledged PKR 500,000 to each family of a deceased miner and PKR 300,000 for the injured as recovered bodies were handed to relatives.
- Labour unions blamed negligence and demanded accountability, citing routine safety gaps such as poor ventilation, absent gas detectors and weak enforcement on privately leased mines.
- The blast follows several methane or toxic‑gas accidents in Balochistan this year and could push authorities to tighten inspections and enforcement of basic mining safety rules.