Islamabad, March 20: Three explosions at a coal mine in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have killed at least five people and trapped 43 others underground, officials said
The incident occurred on Sunday when explosions triggered collapse of the coal mine, AFP reported.
A total of 48 miners were working around 1,200 meters (1,300 yards) underground in the mine and officials said hopes for the survival of the missing were slim.
The mine in the far-flung Sorange district of the province was poorly ventilated, leading to the accumulation of gas.
“Rescue workers have recovered five dead bodies, 43 miners are still trapped inside,” said Imdad Lehri, a police official in the major town of Quetta, quoted by AFP.
The victims have reportedly died from suffocation.
—–Agencies