QUETTA: The death toll in a coal mine collapse in Quetta’s Sanjidi area has risen to four after rescuers recovered another body, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed on Thursday. The authority further said that eight workers were still trapped in the collapsed mine and efforts were underway to rescue them. The mine is located approximately 40 kilometers from Quetta. According to the PDMA, debris has been removed from the entry point of the affected coal mine. According to Deputy Director of Rescue Asghar Jamali, the miners are trapped below a depth of 4,000 feet, The News reported. Debris was falling 20 to 30 feet deep in the mine, he added. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site after the incident, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said. Teams, including mine rescue and PDMA, on arrival launched a rescue operation to rescue the workers from the collapsed mine and are still involved in the effort. However, rescue work is complicated by gas and debris in the mine. Despite these problems, rescue workers are working diligently to save the lives of the workers. Mining debris is removed using heavy machinery. The Balochistan government spokesperson further said that the incident will be thoroughly investigated and strict action will be taken against those responsible for the negligence. Mineral Resources and Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani took cognizance of the incident and ordered Chief Inspector of Mines Abdul Ghani Baloch to send two more rescue teams to the affected site. He also ordered an investigation into alleged violations of standard mining practices.
