Four Miners Succumb to Toxic Gas in Balochistan Coal Mines

News Desk 

Balochistan: Four miners lost their lives due to toxic gas buildup in two coal mines located in the Harnai and Dakki areas of Balochistan. 

Meanwhile, rescue operations are underway to evacuate another miner trapped in one of the mines.

According to Harnai Mine Inspector Abdul Rasheed Abru, the tragic incident occurred in a coal mine situated in Harnai Tehsil Shahragh. Two miners, Abdul Bari and Lali from Pishin, lost their lives while inspecting the mine.

Following the retrieval of the miners’ bodies from the coal mine, they were shifted to the Rural Health Hospital. After completing the medicolegal procedures, the bodies were handed over to their respective families.

Inspector Abdul Rasheed Abru mentioned that the lease for the mine in question was approved on November 13, 2023, by a high-level inspection team from PMDC Islamabad.

However, upon inspection, it was discovered that the mine was operating without proper authorization and lacked essential mining facilities.

Consequently, the mine was ordered to cease operations under the Mining Act of 1926.

He claimed that the mine in question had been inactive for the past six months. However, when miners were dispatched by either the contractor or the owner to assess the mine’s condition, a tragic incident unfolded, resulting in the deaths of two miners.

Conversely, another mishap occurred at a coal mine in Dakki, where three miners became trapped as toxic gas filled the area.

Abdul Rasheed Abaro reported that rescue teams promptly recovered the bodies of two miners in Dakki, while efforts continue to extract the third miner.

Abaro expressed skepticism about the third miner’s chances of survival, given the presence of poisonous gas. However, confirmation of death awaits the recovery of the body.

The bodies of the two deceased miners were shifted to a local hospital, believed to be in Afghanistan, while ongoing efforts aim to retrieve the third miner, regardless of their condition.