January 13, 2024
By Basharat Khan
QUETTA
As 2025 started, a series of tragic mining accidents occurred in Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of 15 miners. These incidents have highlighted the persistent safety challenges in the region’s mining sector.
The most significant accident took place at the Sheikh Uzair mine in the Sanjadi area, approximately 40 kilometers from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. On Thursday evening, a powerful methane gas explosion caused the collapse of the coal mine, trapping 12 miners. Despite extensive rescue efforts spanning three days, 11 bodies have been recovered, with the search for the one remaining miner still continuing.
In one week, three separate accidents occurred in different coal mines in Balochistan. The first incident was the collapse of the Sheikh Uzair mine in Sanjadi, trapping 12 miners. The second accident occurred in Daki, claiming one life, while the third incident took place in Harnai, where four miners were trapped. Two of the miners in Harnai were safely evacuated, but two others perished. In total, 15 miners lost their lives in these incidents.
Rescue operations
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) led the rescue operation at the Sanjadi mine, utilising heavy machinery to access the workers trapped in the 5,000-foot-deep coal mine. According to PDMA officials, efforts to recover the final body are ongoing, with optimism about concluding the operation soon. “Debris from an explosion leads to blockage of the mine at various points which makes rescue operations quite difficult,” Majid Khan Yousafzai, incharge of the rescue team of PDMA, told Voicepk.net. He added that the rescue teams are trying to clear the middle and bottom portions of the mine.
Their colleagues initially attempted to rescue the trapped miners, but the site’s lack of adequate machinery and resources significantly hindered their efforts. “We went inside the mine to rescue our trapped colleagues despite having no safety gear or oxygen cylinders,” Abdul Jalil, a
coal miner said.
The Chief Inspector of Mines & Minerals, Ghani Baloch informed that the 11 recovered bodies had been handed over to the bereaved families after medico-legal formalities. Among the victims were two brothers, whose funerals were attended by Dr. Ibadullah Khan, leader of the opposition in the KP Assembly.
Dr. Khan visited the Sanjadi coalfield and received a briefing on the rescue operations from PDMA and Mines Department officials. He expressed hope that the remaining body would be retrieved soon.
Miners’ plight
These incidents draw urgent attention to the hazardous conditions faced by coal miners in Balochistan.
Workers spoke to Voicepk, sharing their fears about descending into the mines, citing compulsion and economic necessity as their primary motivators for continuing this perilous work.
“I have two children but there is no work available except at the mines in Balochistan,” said Ameen Ullah, another miner at the Sheikh Uzair coal mine.
Amir Khan, a coal miner, said all his colleagues knew about the hazards and dangers of working in the coal mines without safety equipment. “It is economic necessity that is making us go down 5000 feet in these mines and we fear every moment spent there,” Khan added. These sentiments reflect the broader struggles of miners in a region where safety measures remain inadequate.
Accidents claim lives of 200 miners annually
According to the Mines and Minerals Department, over 42,000 miners are employed across 3,491 coal mines in six districts of Balochistan. These mines produce thousands of tons of coal daily, contributing significantly to the local economy. However, the lack of health and safety regulations has resulted in frequent fatalities. Official records indicate that more than 200 miners lose their lives annually in mining accidents across the province.
Pir Muhammad Kakar, General Secretary of the Pakistan United Workers Federation Balochistan, said no action had been taken over previous mining accidents in the province. “An accident in the same mine claimed the lives of 11 miners last year but the government neither publicly shared the inquiry report nor revealed what action it took against those found responsible,” he said.
Kakar emphasized the urgent need for training programs to ensure miners’ safety. He stressed that untrained workers should not be allowed to descend into mines, as their lack of preparedness increases the risk of accidents.
“The government should hold training courses for miners and should allow only those to work in the mines who have completed the certification or training,” he said.
‘Govt initiates probe’
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted into the Sanjadi accident. He promised strict action against those found negligent and pledged that the government would take all possible steps to protect miners’ rights and safety.
As rescue efforts continued in Sanjadi, another mining disaster struck the Khost coal field in Harnai district. On Sunday, a mine collapsed due to cracks, trapping four workers. While two miners were successfully rescued, two others, Zahid and Islahat, could not be saved. Their bodies were recovered after 12 hours of continuous efforts. Following this incident, the Mines and Minerals Department closed the mine and launched an inquiry.
Labor leaders from the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation condemned the repeated loss of life in mining accidents and called for urgent reforms. They demanded the ratification of safety standards, including ILO Convention 176, and the implementation of awareness programs to educate workers about mine safety. The leaders criticized the government’s failure to enforce existing safety regulations and lamented the absence of officials at the accident sites.
The recent mining accidents in Balochistan, resulting in 15 fatalities in a single week, underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to improve mining safety. Despite the significant contributions of the mining sector to the economy, the lack of basic safety measures and training puts thousands of workers at risk daily. Comprehensive action, including stricter enforcement of regulations, better training for miners, and investment in safety infrastructure, is essential to prevent further loss of life and ensure the well-being of those who toil in these dangerous conditions.