Coalmine blast kills 16 laborers in southwest Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan – A coalmine blast on Saturday killed during slightest 16 laborers and harmed several others in southwest Pakistan, with over a dozen still trapped, officials said.

Director of disaster government Attaullah Khan pronounced methane gas had caused a blast in a cave some 60 km (35 miles) easterly of Quetta city, collateral of Baluchistan province.

“We have retrieved 11 bodies,” Khan said. He pronounced over a dozen laborers were still trapped in a mine. Rescue work was in process, Chief Inspector of Mines Iftikhar Ahmad said.

Accidents are visit in a province’s mines and are especially due to unsound reserve measures.