2026 Quetta coal mine explosion

The 2026 Quetta coal mine explosion was a mining disaster that occurred on 30 July 2026 at a coal mine in the Sorange coalfield near Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. A Methane gas explosion caused parts of the mining complex to collapse, killing 34 miners and trapping several others underground. Rescue operations were conducted by Pakistani authorities to recover victims and locate missing workers.^[1]

The explosion occurred at a coal mining complex in the Sorange area, approximately 40 kilometres from Quetta. Officials stated that the blast was likely caused by an accumulation of Methane gas, a common hazard in underground coal mining. The explosion damaged underground sections of the mine and trapped workers inside.^[2]

Initial reports indicated that several miners were missing after the explosion, with rescue teams working in dangerous underground conditions to reach the affected areas. The operation involved the Balochistan government and mine rescue personnel.^[3]

The death toll increased as rescue teams recovered additional bodies from the collapsed mine. Authorities later reported that 34 miners had died in the disaster.^[4]

The incident drew attention to ongoing safety concerns in Pakistan's coal mining industry, particularly in Balochistan, where previous accidents have been linked to inadequate ventilation, methane accumulation, and limited safety monitoring systems.^[5]

• List of mining disasters
• Mining in Pakistan