Quetta – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – A deadly methane gas blast at the Surrange coal mine explosion site in Balochistan has left at least 34 workers dead, officials confirmed on Friday. The tragedy struck the Spin Karez area near Quetta, sending shockwaves through nearby communities.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) shared the grim update in a statement, noting that rescue crews were still hunting for other miners feared trapped underground.
Officials said thirty-four bodies had been pulled from the wreckage so far. The search operation, they added, was far from over.
The blast happened on Thursday, ripping through the underground mine and triggering a partial collapse. What followed was a long, tense rescue effort that stretched well into the night.
Early reports suggest more than 42 workers were inside the mine when the explosion occurred. Thankfully, three men managed to escape safely before rescue teams even arrived.
PDMA officials confirmed that 42 miners in total were caught inside the Soranj coalmine when the gas ignited. In response, the Balochistan government announced financial support of Rs5 lakh for each grieving family.
Rescue workers are now digging through fallen debris and gas-filled tunnels, hoping to find survivors. The conditions underground remain extremely dangerous.
Balochistan’s Minister for Mines and Minerals, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, said every available resource was being poured into the rescue mission. Teams are working to clear rubble, restore airflow, and push deeper into the mine.
According to officials, toxic fumes and crumbling passages are making the rescue slow and risky. Every step forward takes careful planning.
Nosherwani revealed that Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti had personally ordered senior mining and disaster officials to head straight to the site. Their job: oversee the operation and speed up the response.
He also confirmed that the provincial government is closely tracking developments. Machinery, manpower, and emergency supplies have all been handed over to the rescue teams on the ground.
Labour leader Pir Muhammad Kakar backed up earlier figures, saying around 42 workers were present when the explosion hit.
Meanwhile, anxious families have gathered near the mine entrance, waiting for any news about their loved ones. The mood at the site remains heavy with worry and grief.
This latest disaster once again highlights the harsh working conditions faced by coal miners in Balochistan. The province, Pakistan’s largest by area yet one of its poorest, continues to trail behind in education, jobs, and overall development — issues that make tragedies like this one all the more painful.
As rescue efforts continue, hopes remain that more survivors can still be found alive.
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