Pakistan coal mine blast kills 34 workers

July 31, 2026 / 4:25 PM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: At least 34 workers have died following an explosion at a coal mine in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, according to the provincial disaster management authority, as rescue teams press on with searches for additional trapped miners.

The blast, which is believed to have been triggered by an accumulation of methane gas, struck the mine near Quetta, the provincial capital, on Thursday and sparked an intensive overnight rescue operation.

Rescue efforts continue

In a statement released early Friday, the Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority verified that 34 bodies had been successfully recovered.

Joint rescue units are maintaining operations underground to locate and retrieve any remaining miners, though authorities have not yet disclosed the exact headcount of workers inside the shaft when the explosion occurred. Local witnesses noted that miners from nearby operations rushed to the scene immediately following the blast to help.

Ahmed Zada, a local miner, informed AFP that several individuals who ventured back into the mine after the explosion to aid in the rescue efforts also perished.