Quetta (AsiaNews) – At least 34 miners have died in an explosion at a coal mine on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of the south-western province of Balochistan. The incident has fuelled calls for stricter safety regulations and greater protection of workers’ rights.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that rescue teams have recovered 34 bodies but are continuing to search for other miners who may still be trapped underground. The authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the death toll may rise, but at the same time rescue operations are proceeding with extreme caution due to the conditions inside the site, which remain dangerous.
The government mining inspector, Ghani Baloch, explained that the explosion was believed to have been caused by a build-up of methane gas, one of the most common hazards in underground coal mines. “Following a methane explosion, the chances of finding survivors decrease dramatically because oxygen levels drop to zero. Even the rescue workers must proceed with caution,” said Baloch.
The provincial Minister for Mines and Mineral Resources, Shoaib Nosherwani, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $1,800) for each affected family. He also promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident and a review of safety measures in the province’s mines.
This accident, however, once again highlights the extremely dangerous conditions in Pakistan’s mining sector, particularly in Balochistan, where similar tragedies occur frequently due to poor ventilation, inadequate gas monitoring systems, the limited response capacity of emergency teams and the poor enforcement of safety regulations.
Trade unions have long accused mine owners of neglecting safety standards and failing to provide workers with adequate protective equipment. Following the explosion, the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation has called for strict legal action against any companies found to be responsible for breaches of current regulations.
And despite the risks, thousands of people continue to work in the coal mines of Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but also one of its least developed provinces, where poverty and unemployment remain widespread.
Human rights organisations have also called for urgent action. Kashif Anthony, coordinator of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Archdiocese of Karachi, stated that recurring tragedies such as this demonstrate that “economic development can never come at the expense of human life and dignity”.
“Every miner has the fundamental right to a safe workplace, a fair wage, access to protective equipment, effective emergency services and adequate support for their family in the event of an accident,” said Anthony.
The Catholic representative also called for stricter inspections, the establishment of an independent monitoring body and practical support for the victims’ families, through prompt compensation, medical care and long-term support programmes.
“Miners make a significant contribution to Pakistan’s economy and energy security,” he concluded. “Their sacrifices must be recognised not only in words, but through concrete reforms that protect their lives and their rights. The protection of miners is not merely a trade union issue: it is a human rights obligation and a testament to our commitment to justice and the rule of law.”
