Shafaqna Pakistan: At least four coal miners were killed and five others injured on Sunday after a methane gas explosion caused a mine to collapse in Shahrag, Balochistan, a government official said.
The incident occurred in Shahrag, a mountainous town in Harnai district known for its hundreds of coal mines. The area is located about 168 kilometres (104 miles) from Quetta, the provincial capital.
Muhammad Atif, chief mine inspector at the provincial mining department, said the collapse occurred at a depth of around 800 feet after an explosion inside a coal mine operated by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC). He said six workers were present underground when the incident took place.
“Four mine workers were killed and five were injured after the mine caved in due to a methane gas blast,” Atif told media.
He said the bodies and injured miners were recovered after a rescue operation that lasted for hours. Atif said two persons who suffered severe burn injuries were referred to Quetta for better treatment.
The official said the deceased miners belonged to the northwestern Swat district, adding that the bodies were shifted to their native villages for burial.
Dr Hadi Kakar, medical superintendent at Quetta’s Civil Hospital, said four patients of the Shahrag coal mine blast arrived at the hospital’s trauma center for treatment.
He said two patients reached the hospital in critical condition, with 80 and 90 percent severe burn injuries. They were being treated under careful supervision.
“Two other patients with minor injuries were discharged from the hospital after being given initial treatment,” Kakar added.
Meanwhile, Atif said the provincial mining department has demanded in writing an inquiry into the mine collapse to ascertain its causes.
Source: Dunya News
