Staff Reporter:Â
Quetta (Balochistan): A tragic accident claimed the lives of three coal miners in the Degari area of Mach, Bolan district, when toxic gas filled an underground coal mine.
According to rescue officials, the miners were working deep underground when poisonous gas suddenly accumulated inside the shaft. The men lost consciousness and suffocated before they could be rescued.
The deceased include one miner from Hazara Town, Quetta, while two others belonged to Alamdar Road, Mariabad — both predominantly Hazara neighbourhoods. Their deaths have once again highlighted the dangerous working conditions faced by coal miners in Balochistan, many of whom belong to marginalized communities.
Following the incident, local administration, rescue teams, and mine authorities rushed to the site. Chief Inspector of Mines and Minerals, Abdul Ghani, visited the coalfield to assess the initial causes of the tragedy and review safety conditions.
Background
Coal mining in Balochistan has long been fraught with risks, including frequent explosions, toxic gas leaks, and cave-ins. Dozens of miners die each year in preventable accidents, raising questions about the enforcement of safety standards and the responsibilities of mining companies operating in the province.
