Hanif Tareen, Manan Mandokhail:
HARNAI, QUETTA: In a devastating turn of events, 12 coal miners lost their lives in a tragic explosion within a mine located in Balochistan’s Harnai district. Despite the perilous conditions, rescue efforts managed to save 8 miners who were trapped in the aftermath of the blast.
According to Abdul Ghani, Chief Inspector Mines Balochistan, the explosion was triggered by methane gas, leading to the collapse of the mine and trapping a total of 20 miners inside.
8 Coal Miners Rescued After Hectic Efforts
A swift rescue operation ensued, focused on the safe extraction of the trapped miners. Tragically, 12 miners were found deceased, while the remaining 8 were successfully rescued and transported to the district headquarters hospital in Harnai for urgent medical attention.
Expressing concern over the incident, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to launch a comprehensive rescue mission to ensure the safety of those still trapped. “A risky operation was launched to ensure the recovery of the trapped miners,” stated Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti.
Deceased Miners Belong To Pishin District Of Balochistan
Chief Inspector Mines also noted that many of the deceased miners hailed from the Pishin district of Balochistan and the Achakzai tribe, with their bodies being returned to their respective hometowns.
However, amid the rescue efforts, criticism arose regarding the delayed arrival of rescue teams and insufficient equipment. One miner from a neighboring coal mine lamented the lack of proper safety measures, which resulted in further casualties among those attempting to aid their trapped colleagues.
The incident once again underscores the hazardous working conditions prevalent within Balochistan’s coal mines, which have claimed numerous lives over recent years. Sultan Muhammad Khan, a prominent leader of the mines workers association, urged the government to take decisive action against negligent contractors and mine owners responsible for such tragedies.
