QUETTA: Two miners lost their lives on Sunday when a landslide struck a coal mine in the Sorranj area on the outskirts of Quetta. The tragic incident is the latest addition to the long list of mining-related fatalities in Balochistan, where safety measures remain a persistent concern.
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According to Balochistan’s Chief Mines Inspector, Rafiullah, the miners were working deep inside the mine when a large mass of earth suddenly gave way. The collapse buried them under heavy debris, leaving no time for escape or rescue.
The deceased workers were identified as Shaista Khan and Abdul Malik. Their fellow miners rushed to the site and managed to retrieve their bodies from beneath the rubble before shifting them to Quetta Civil Hospital. Witnesses said the collapse happened without any warning, causing widespread panic among workers in nearby tunnels.
Following the incident, the Chief Mines Inspector ordered the mine to be sealed immediately and launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse. Initial reports indicate that unstable structures and poor reinforcement may have contributed to the fatal landslide.
Mining in Balochistan, largely run by private companies under government lease agreements, has long been criticised for unsafe working conditions. Workers often operate in poorly ventilated, structurally weak tunnels without adequate emergency equipment or monitoring systems.
Deadly incidents are frequent in the province, where inadequate safety oversight and lack of modern machinery continue to put the lives of thousands of miners at risk. Labour unions have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and improved protections for workers.
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Sunday’s tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for mining reforms in Balochistan, where hazardous practices remain a daily reality for those working underground.