In a tragic event, 11 coal miners die of suffocation in a Sanjdi coal mine in Balochistan on Monday. Chief Mines Inspector Abdul Ghani Baloch confirmed the incident, stating that the miners succumbed to a gas explosion and subsequent suffocation deep inside the mine.
According to Chief Mines Inspector Baloch, a sudden gas leak led to the deaths of 11 individuals, including nine miners, a contractor, and a mine manager. All the deceased were from Swat. The victims’ bodies will be transported to their hometown following funeral prayers.
This heartbreaking incident mirrors a similar tragedy on March 19, where 12 miners lost their lives, and six others were injured due to a blast in the Harnai coal mine. Investigations into the Harnai incident revealed that the mine’s owner and contractor were responsible for the blast. The report highlighted that after a six-month closure, the mine was reopened without any official checks on gas levels, leading to the fatal explosion.
Further findings showed the absence of equipment to monitor gas levels and the lack of alternative pathways for gas discharge. Consequently, authorities have decided to pursue legal action against the owner and contractor of the Harnai coal mine.
The repeated incidents where coal miners die underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures in the mining industry. Ensuring regular inspections, adequate safety equipment, and strict enforcement of safety protocols can help prevent such tragedies. The loss of lives in these preventable accidents calls for immediate action to safeguard the lives of miners and uphold safety standards in coal mines across Balochistan.
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