What happened
An explosion tore through a private coal mine in Balochistan’s Sorange area, about 50 kilometres east of Quetta, killing at least 32 miners on Thursday and trapping others underground as rescuers worked to reach them, officials said.
The blast, which authorities believe was caused by a build-up of methane gas, struck the Spin Karez area and damaged two mines located close to each other. Provincial mines and minerals minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani said 36 miners were in the collapsed section of the complex when the explosion occurred.
By Friday the death toll had risen to 34 as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the collapsed mine, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said. Three workers were evacuated safely, while around 42 labourers were believed to have been inside the mine at the time.
The rescue operation
Rescue efforts were under way at a depth of about 4,000 feet (1,219 metres), chief inspector of mines Muhammad Atif said. Officials said toxic gases, unstable underground passages and accumulated debris were complicating the operation.
The PDMA dispatched rescue teams after receiving information from police and sent four ambulances on the instructions of Director General Jahanzeb Khan. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti directed the chief inspector of mines and senior PDMA officials to reach the site and supervise the operation.
Labour leader Pir Muhammad Kakar said around 42 workers were present inside the mine when it exploded and appealed to the government to use every available resource to save those still trapped. Families of the miners gathered near the site and waited for updates.
Government response
Nosherwani said the provincial government would conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the disaster and review safety protocols across the mining sector. The Balochistan government announced compensation of Rs 500,000 for the family of each deceased miner.
Authorities are expected to examine whether the private mine had complied with mandatory ventilation and workplace safety requirements.
Why it matters
Coal mining accidents are common in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, where many mines lack adequate ventilation, gas monitoring and other basic safety measures. The province is Pakistan’s largest but least developed, and thousands of workers depend on the coal industry despite the risks and low wages.
The Sorange disaster renewed concern over enforcement of occupational safety standards in a sector that has repeatedly seen fatal methane explosions and collapses.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reporting, not independent reporting. Details are as carried by the cited sources, which were reviewed on 31 July 2026.
- 24 News HD (AFP) — "Death toll in Soranj coal mine explosion rises to 34 as rescue operation continues"30 July 2026 · The rising death toll, the number of workers trapped, the compensation announcement and the rescue conditions.
- Reuters — "Death toll rises to at least 34 after blast at Pakistan coal mine complex"30 July 2026 · The methane gas explosion, the depth of the rescue operation and officials' statements.
- AP — "Coal mine blast in Pakistan kills at least 32 miners and traps 10 others"30 July 2026 · The initial casualty figures and the cause identified by mine inspectors.
