A senior mining official says a methane gas explosion in a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan has killed at least six miners and trapped 46 others.
Iftikhar Ahmed, a top mine inspector, said Sunday’s accident occurred at a mine in Baluchistan province, some 40km east of the provincial capital, Quetta. The mine is owned by the state-run Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation but leased to a contractor.
Ahmed said the mine was declared dangerous two weeks ago, but the warning was ignored. Rescue workers are trying to reach the trapped miners, but the presence of methane gas is hampering their efforts.
– AP
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