12 coalmine labourers dead; 8 rescue alive in Harnai coalmine mishap

Independent Report

QUETTA: As many as 12 coalmine labourers died while eight others were rescued after a coalmine caved in following the gas explosion in Harnai coalmine field on late Tuesday night.
The Chief Mines Inspector Balochistan, Abdul Ghani told that some 12 coal mine workers were trapped in a coalmine located in Zard Aalo area of Harnai after the blast occurred there.
After the mishap, eight other local coal mine workers entered the coal mine to rescue the trapped miners. However, they were also trapped after the mine caved in.
Later, the rescue teams including Provincial Disaster Management Authority and Mines department reached the spot and started rescue operation.
During the course, eight coal mine workers, who had entered the affected mine for rescue, were rescued alive and shifted to the local health establishment.
However, 12 other mine workers could not survive and their bodies were taken out from the coal mine.
The deceased workers hailed from Pishin, Chaman, Harnai, Killa Saifullah and Quetta.
The Chief Mines Inspector informed that the affected coal mine has been sealed after completion of the rescue operation.
He said that an inquiry has also been ordered to probe into the coal mine mishap.
Meanwhile, bodies of deceased coal mine workers were sent to their native areas for burial.
It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti had directed the DG PDMA to dispatch rescue teams to the Harnai coalmine area.