Sun Jan 12 06:59:44 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Coal Mine Collapse Kills 11, One Still Missing
**QUETTA, PAKISTAN –** Eleven miners are dead following a methane gas explosion and subsequent collapse at a coal mine in Balochistan, Pakistan. Rescuers recovered seven more bodies on Saturday, bringing the total death toll to eleven, with one miner still missing. The incident occurred Wednesday evening in the Sanjdi area, approximately 40 kilometers from Quetta.
Abdullah Shawani, head of the province’s mining department, stated that hopes for the survival of the remaining miner are slim due to the conditions within the collapsed mine. Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind attributed the collapse to a gas buildup causing an explosion and subsequent cave-in. He noted that rescue efforts are underway but hampered by toxic gas and debris.
An investigation is launched to determine whether mining regulations were followed. Pir Muhammad Kakar, a leader of the mines workers’ association, blamed the mine owner and mining department officials for the tragedy, citing a failure to implement safety regulations. He demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by miners in Balochistan’s coal-rich region, which is known for its hazardous working conditions and poor safety standards. Similar tragedies have occurred in the past, including a gas explosion in Harnai last March that killed at least 12 miners, and a 2018 incident in Sanjdi that resulted in 23 deaths.
First Piper 