12 Miners Trapped After Gas Explosion in Balochistan

A gas explosion in a coal mine in the Sanjdi area of Balochistan, Pakistan, has trapped 12 miners, prompting a rescue operation that is facing challenges due to debris and gas accumulation. Officials stated that the explosion occurred late Thursday night, and rescue teams have been dispatched to the site to extract the miners, with reports indicating that no workers have been reached yet. Balochistan's Minister for Minerals, Mir Shoaib Noshirwani, has ordered additional rescue teams and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into potential violations of mining regulations. Safety conditions in Pakistan's mines are notoriously poor, leading to frequent accidents, including a prior incident where 11 miners died from gas inhalation in the same area last year. The local government has pledged to take strict action against any negligence if found during the investigation. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities committed to utilizing all available resources to save the trapped miners.