In another devastating blow to the mining community, at least 11 individuals, including nine miners, lost their lives due to a gas leak in a coal mine situated in Balochistan’s Quetta. The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday, has once again highlighted the precarious working conditions prevalent in Pakistan’s mining industry.
Abdul Ghani Baloch, the chief mines inspector, confirmed the grim toll, revealing that among the deceased were nine laborers, one contractor, and one mine manager. The mine, located in UC Singidi, approximately 40 kilometers away from Quetta, became the site of suffocation-induced fatalities following the gas leak.
Expressing condolences, Ghani stated that all the victims hailed from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat region. Plans are underway to repatriate their bodies to their native areas following the funeral prayers.
Tragically, this incident underscores a recurring issue in Pakistan’s western regions, where coal deposits are abundant. The proximity to the Afghan border poses unique challenges, with mine accidents, primarily caused by gas build-ups, becoming distressingly common.
The lack of adequate safety measures and poor working conditions have long been grievances voiced by mine workers and labor union officials. Despite previous assurances to address these concerns, fatal accidents like this one continue to plague the industry.
This latest tragedy echoes previous disasters, including the March explosion in Balochistan’s Harnai district, which claimed the lives of 12 miners, and the December fire in Duki coal field, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries.
As the nation mourns the loss of these lives, questions once again arise regarding the urgent need for comprehensive safety reforms to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.
