# 34 killed in Pakistan coal mine blast, many trapped 2026-08-08T09:43:47+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet At least 34 miners died and 22 were rescued after a methane gas explosion in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta, Pakistan, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The blast during a shift change also damaged a neighbouring mine, trapping over 50 workers deep underground. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority confirmed the toll. Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif said 22 workers were trapped in the mine where the explosion occurred, with others in the adjacent mine. Rescuers struggled with structural collapses and fire. Pir Muhammad Kakar of the All Pakistan Coal Miners Association said private mine owners often ignore safety rules and fail to register workers. Balochistan's Mines Minister Shoaib Nosherwani pledged a thorough investigation and announced PKR 500,000 compensation per deceased miner. The Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation demanded strict enforcement of mine safety laws. Fatal accidents are common in Balochistan coal mines, many lacking ventilation and gas monitoring systems. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - millenniumpost.in Tags: Balochistan, coal mine accident, methane explosion, mining safety, Pakistan Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/at-least-34-killed-in-pakistan-coal-mine-gas-blast/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/at-least-34-killed-in-pakistan-coal-mine-gas-blast/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.