At least 34 killed in coal mine explosion in southern Pakistan

At least 34 workers were killed in a blast at a coal mine in southern Pakistan, according to the local disaster management authority, on Friday.

The explosion, caused by methane gas, occurred on Thursday and caused extensive damage to the mine near the capital of the mineral-rich Balochistan province, prompting rescue operations.

The provincial disaster management authority said on Friday morning: “According to information from rescue teams deployed at the site, 34 bodies have been recovered.”

The authority added: “The joint rescue operation is still ongoing to locate and recover any trapped miners,” without specifying the number of workers inside the mine at the time of the explosion.