4 miners die in coal mine gas explosion in Balochistan's Harnai: state media

Four miners died while another five were injured after a gas explosion at a coal mine in Balochistan’s Harnai district, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.

The army completed a rescue operation at the incident site, where miners were trapped following a gas explosion, the report said.

“Five miners trapped inside the coal mine were rescued alive through a timely rescue operation by the Pakistan Army,” it said.*

“Four miners have so far lost their lives, while five others sustained injuries in the gas explosion,” the outlet added.

According to the report, the injured miners were shifted to Quetta for further medical treatment.

Accidents are common in Pakistan’s coal mines, mainly due to gas build-ups.

Mine workers have complained that a lack of safety gear and poor working conditions are the key causes of frequent accidents, according to labour union officials.

Last month, three workers were killed in a gas explosion at a coal mine in the Degari area of Balochistan’s Mastung district.

In late July, at least 32 coal miners — most of whom were from Shangla — were killed in a powerful methane gas explosion at a coal mine in Quetta. The victims’ heirs later refused to receive the compensation cheques worth Rs400,000.

Following that incident, the National Labour Federation (NLF) Balochistan demanded reforms in mine safety.

NLF Balochistan General Secretary Umar Hayat said the province had 196 mining companies operating nearly 3,000 coal mines, yet only 17 mine inspectors were responsible for monitoring safety standards, describing the number as “grossly inadequate”.