QUETTA: The death toll in coal mine collapse near Quetta has risen to 11 after rescuers retrieved another seven bodies of colliers who were among those trapped inside the mine in the Sanjidi area.
Confirming the development, Chief Mines Inspector Abdul Ghani said that so far 11 bodies had been recovered from the coal mine in three days and that a rescue operation was underway in search of another collier.
A day earlier, the authorities had retrieved four bodies of 12 workers who were trapped inside the mine after it collapsed due to an explosion caused by the accumulation of gas on January 9.
The miners, as reported by The News citing the Deputy Director of Rescue Asghar Jamali, were trapped depth of 4,000 feet.
Although rescue teams, including mine rescue and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), have been facing difficulties due to the gas and debris, they were able to debris up to 3,600 feet by using heavy machinery.
The delay in the rescue efforts has been attributed to the laying of a second power line and the removal of debris.
Meanwhile, Mineral Resources and Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani has taken notice of the incident and has ordered an investigation.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind has also assured a thorough probe into the incident while warning that strict action will be taken against those responsible for negligence.
