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34 miners killed in a methane explosion at a Pakistan coal mine
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- A methane gas explosion at a coal mine near Quetta, Pakistan, killed 34 miners, with rescuers recovering 32 bodies and working to retrieve two more.
- Authorities initially believed 42 miners were inside the mine when the explosion occurred on Thursday.
- Balochistan’s Mines Minister Shoaib Nosherwani announced compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (about $1,800) for each victim's family and promised an investigation into the cause and safety measures.
- Coal mining accidents are frequent in Balochistan due to inadequate ventilation, lack of gas-monitoring systems, and poor safety standards.
- Despite the risks and low pay, many workers depend on coal mining for income in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and least-developed province with high poverty and unemployment.
