SHANGLA: The bodies of the last two miners who died in the deadly coal mine disaster in Quetta’s Spin Karez (Sorenj) area reached their hometown of Shangla on Sunday, bringing to a close the recovery and burial of all 34 victims of one of Pakistan’s deadliest mining tragedies in recent years.
The arrival of the bodies marked the end of days of uncertainty for the victims’ families, while fresh calls emerged for an independent investigation into the disaster, stricter mine safety standards and greater support for the bereaved families.
The bodies were transported to Shangla by ambulance after legal formalities were completed and were received by district administration officials, police personnel, Rescue 1122 teams, local elders and relatives before being handed over to their families.
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral prayers, while emotional scenes unfolded across the affected villages as the miners were laid to rest in their ancestral graveyards.
Rescue Operation Ends After Recovery of All 34 Bodies
The tragedy occurred at a privately operated coal mine in the Spin Karez (Sorenj) area on the outskirts of Quetta, where methane and other toxic gases reportedly accumulated inside the mine, trapping dozens of workers underground.
Rescue teams continued operations for several days under difficult and hazardous conditions before recovering all 34 bodies. The recovery of the final two victims officially concluded the rescue operation, allowing the deceased miners to be transported to their hometowns for burial.
Many of those killed belonged to Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had travelled to Balochistan to earn a livelihood for their families.
Families Seek Investigation and Better Mine Safety
Following the funerals, the victims’ families demanded a transparent and high-level inquiry into the disaster, alleging negligence, weak enforcement of mine safety regulations and inadequate inspections.
They urged authorities to identify those responsible and take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The families also called on the federal and provincial governments to provide financial compensation, employment opportunities for one member of each affected family, educational support for the victims’ children and long-term assistance for widows and dependents.
Calls for Mining Reforms Grow
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the hazardous conditions faced by thousands of coal miners across Pakistan, many of whom continue to work in dangerous environments with limited safety protections.
Relatives of the victims urged the government to strengthen mine safety regulations, ensure regular inspections, improve ventilation systems, install gas detection equipment and enhance emergency rescue mechanisms in coal mines across the country.
Condolence visits continued across Shangla on Sunday as political leaders, government officials, social workers and local residents expressed solidarity with the bereaved families. Special Quran recitations and collective prayers were also held for the deceased.
The families said they hoped the loss of 34 miners would lead to meaningful reforms aimed at improving safety standards and protecting workers in Pakistan’s mining sector.
Also Read: KP Announces Rs10 Million for Families of Shangla Miners
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