At least 18 miners have been killed and 24 others trapped underground after a methane gas explosion at a coal mine near Quetta in southwestern Pakistan.
The Associated Press reports that the blast occurred on the outskirts of Quetta, capital of Balochistan province, with rescuers working in extremely difficult conditions to reach those still trapped.
Mine inspector Ghani Baloch said the explosion was caused by a buildup of methane gas, while officials warned that the chances of finding survivors were diminishing. Authorities recovered seven bodies initially and later found 11 more.
Balochistan’s Mines and Minerals Minister Shoaib Nosherwani said the provincial government would compensate the families of those killed and investigate the cause of the explosion. Rescue operations are continuing, while officials said the death toll could rise further.
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