Pakistan Coal Mine Explosion Kills at Least 32 Miners, 10 Trapped
A methane gas explosion inside a coal mine near Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Baluchistan province, killed at least 32 miners and left another 10 trapped underground on Thursday (July 30, 2026), according to government officials.
The blast occurred on the outskirts of Quetta, said Ghani Baloch, a government mine inspector. He stated that the explosion was apparently caused by a buildup of methane gas. Emergency responders recovered the bodies of seven miners within hours of the blast, and later found 25 more bodies, according to the provincial disaster management agency. The agency said search and rescue operations were continuing, with teams working to locate and recover the remaining trapped miners.
Mr. Baloch said rescue operations would continue until all the trapped miners were found, but he added that officials believed the death toll likely would rise further. “The chances of finding anyone alive diminish after methane gas explosions because oxygen levels drop to zero, and rescuers are also proceeding cautiously inside the mine,” he said. He noted that authorities were handing over the recovered bodies to families for burial, while relatives of those still trapped waited anxiously for news.
Shoaib Nosherwani, Baluchistan's Minister for Mines and Minerals, said rescue teams were working under extremely difficult conditions. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said the provincial government would pay compensation of 500,000 Pakistani rupees (about $1,800) to the family of each miner killed in the blast. He added that authorities would conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and review mining safety measures.
The Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation, a coal miners' labour union, said it suspected negligence led to the explosion and called for action against those responsible. In a statement, the federation urged the government to strictly enforce safety regulations and take tough action against companies that violate mine safety laws.
Deadly accidents are common in Pakistan's coal mining industry, particularly in Baluchistan, where many mines lack adequate ventilation, gas monitoring systems and other basic safety measures. Mine workers and labour groups have long accused mine owners of failing to enforce safety regulations or provide adequate protective equipment.
Despite the risks and low wages, thousands of miners depend on the coal industry for their livelihoods in Baluchistan, Pakistan's largest but least developed province, where unemployment and poverty remain widespread. The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the persistent safety failures in the sector and the urgent need for stricter oversight.
