September 14, 2026
By Muhammad Junaid
LAHORE
For coal miners in Balochistan, the danger does not end when they enter a mine. In fact that is just a starting point for what they face at work.
In some cases, the mine shaft can fill with methane an immensely poisonous gas causing death. In others situations, collapsing tunnels, faulty equipment or even fire, can leave workers trapped hundreds or thousands of feet underground.
In Balochistan – which has the most mines in the country – this year at least 48 coal miners have been killed in six separate fatal incidents, according to a review of media reports. Forty-six of the deaths occurred in gas-related incidents, while two miners died after being struck by a coal-loaded trolley.
The latest incident took place on September 13, when four miners died and four others were injured in a methane-gas explosion at Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation’s Mine No. 151 in Shahrag, Harnai.
Eight miners were trapped underground after fire broke out inside the mine. Rescue teams recovered four bodies and rescued four injured workers, who were initially treated before being referred to Quetta. The bodies were sent to the miners’ native area in Swat.
But the account of the rescue operation differed slightly: The chief inspector of mines told the media that four injured miners were rescued, while a state-media report said five miners were brought out alive. The death toll of four remained unchanged.
Credit: Radio Pakistan
Previous incidents
The Harnai blast followed the deaths of three miners, including two Afghan nationals, after methane gas accumulated inside a private coal mine on August 27. The victims were identified as Isa Khan, Shams Ullah and Sirajuddin.
Just days earlier on August 23, two miners were killed and four others found unconscious in the Thandk area of Duki. The workers had been exposed to toxic methane gas while working deep inside the mine.
A Voicepk report said the mine had remained closed for a prolonged period and that the workers had entered it to inspect conditions for possible reactivation. Mohabbatullah and Rumi Muhammad died, while four other miners were rescued unconscious and later discharged from hospital. The mine was sealed and a technical and legal investigation was initiated.
The Duki incident also brought renewed attention to the July 30 Sorange disaster near Quetta, the deadliest of the six incidents.
A methane-gas explosion triggered a fire and collapsed parts of two mines in the Sorange coalfield. Initial reports said that at least 15 miners had died and that more than 20 remained trapped. Rescue teams later recovered 32 bodies, followed by the remaining two, bringing the final death toll to 34.
Many of the victims belonged to Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 23 reported to be from Mian Kaly village. Several were young men from the same families. Local representatives said the shortage of employment opportunities in Shangla had pushed workers towards hazardous mining jobs in Balochistan.
The provincial government ordered a high-level inquiry into the Sorange disaster, assigning the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team the task of determining the cause of the explosion and fixing responsibility for negligence. Four mines were sealed as part of the investigation.
The tragedy also exposed the difficulties families face after a miner’s death. The National Disaster Management Authority distributed financial assistance of Rs2 million each to the families of the 34 deceased miners.
However, when the heirs of 32 victims were later offered compensation cheques worth Rs400,000 each, they refused to accept them. The families said the amount was inadequate and alleged that the authorities were trying to reopen the closed mine.
Afsarul Mulk Afghan, who represented the families, claimed that poor workers from Shangla were being forced to work in dangerous mines and that negligence had contributed to repeated deaths.
The Shangla deputy commissioner said the cheques had been issued by the Workers Welfare Fund rather than directly by the Balochistan government. He said the families had been informed about the source of the money but remained suspicious, adding that the cheques would be handed over within a few days.
The other two fatal incidents were reported in April. In one methane-gas incident in the Bolan coalfield, three miners died of suffocation. The deceased were identified as Murad Bakhsh, Ali Hassan and Dilawar Khan.
In a separate accident in Duki, three workers were struck by a coal-loaded trolley. Two of them, including Muhammad Ibrahim, died from their injuries, while another miner was injured.
The risks facing miners are not limited to workplace accidents. In May, three miners were kidnapped from the Zahri coalfield in Harnai. Abdul Razzaq, Asmatullah and Hameedullah were taken away at gunpoint after armed men reportedly cordoned off the mine. No group claimed responsibility at the time.
The pattern has prompted demands for stronger regulation. The National Labour Federation has said that Balochistan has 196 mining companies operating nearly 3,000 coal mines, while only 17 inspectors are responsible for monitoring safety standards.
In its call for mine-safety reforms, the federation demanded proper ventilation, gas-monitoring systems, emergency exits, rescue equipment and certified protective gear. It also called for an independent inquiry and the implementation of international mine-safety standards.