By A tragic coal mine accident in Shahrig, Harnai, on Saturday, resulted in the deaths of five miners due to a buildup of poisonous gas in a coal mine operated by a private company. The incident occurred when six miners were trapped underground by the sudden accumulation of toxic gas.
Rescue teams managed to save one miner, Khan Muhammad, but unfortunately, five others suffocated. The deceased, all Afghan nationals, have been identified as Rehman Shah, Shafaulla, Naseebullah, Zubi Allah, and Matiullah. Their bodies were recovered following a rigorous rescue operation, which highlighted the hazardous conditions faced by coal miners in Balochistan.
The Pakistan Workers Federation’s (PWF) Balochistan chapter has called for immediate improvements in mine safety protocols and a thorough investigation into the accident. They stressed the need for enhanced safety measures to better protect workers in the region’s coal mines.
This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers in Balochistan’s mining industry. In March 2024, a similar tragedy occurred when a coal pit collapse after an explosion in the Harnai district resulted in the deaths of 12 miners. The explosion, caused by methane gas, led to a mine collapse that trapped 20 miners. Rescue operations recovered 12 bodies and saved eight miners alive, with the deceased being shifted to their respective homes.
Balochistan Mines Chief Inspector Abdul Ghani reported that methane gas triggered the blast, leading to the mine collapse. He confirmed that rescue efforts were completed with the recovery of all 12 bodies and that the rescued miners were taken to District Headquarters Hospital Harnai.
Balochistan’s Director General of Mining, Abdullah Shahwani, confirmed the death toll and suggested methane gas was the cause. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives. Initial reports had estimated only ten miners involved, but further rescue efforts confirmed a higher number. A group of eight rescuers also became trapped briefly but were later rescued.
Mining in Balochistan, rich in resources like coal, copper, gold, and chromite, remains perilous, posing significant risks to both the environment and local populations.
