2 dead in Balochistan coal mine mishap

Quetta

Two miners lost their lives in a fresh coal mine accident in Balochistan’s Harnai district on Monday, even as rescue teams continued efforts to retrieve the last body from a separate deadly incident in the Sanjdi mine near Quetta.

The latest tragedy occurred in the Khost coal field when part of the mine collapsed, trapping eight workers inside. Six miners were rescued, but Zahid and Islahat were found dead after a 12-hour recovery operation. Authorities have since closed the Khost mine and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the Sanjdi mine disaster, caused by a methane gas explosion on January 9, reached 11 after rescue workers recovered additional bodies. The miners had been trapped 4,000 feet underground. Officials confirmed that efforts were ongoing to reach the last miner, with excavation now at 4,100 feet.

Most of the Sanjdi victims hailed from Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with one miner from Swat.

Labour leaders condemned the government’s failure to enforce safety regulations, highlighting a lack of official visits and inadequate measures to protect workers. They called for immediate ratification of International Labour Organisation Convention 176 and stricter enforcement of safety standards.

Opposition leader Ibadullah Khan visited Sanjdi on Sunday, receiving a briefing from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Mines Department officials on rescue progress.

Coal mining accidents remain a persistent danger in Balochistan, where poor safety practices and inadequate oversight continue to claim lives.