Balochistan govt orders inquiry into Sorange coal mine disaster

Quetta, Pakistan: The Balochistan government has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the tragic coal mine disaster that occurred in Sorange, resulting in the loss of 34 lives. This critical investigation has been entrusted to the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), led by Chairman Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai, to determine the cause of the incident, assess the performance of relevant authorities, assign responsibility for any negligence, and propose preventive measures. The deadline for the CMIT to submit its findings and recommendations is set to two weeks.

Separately, the Mines and Minerals Department has also launched an internal inquiry into the incident, sealing four coal mines, including the two directly impacted by the disaster. The Sorange mine accident, one of the deadliest mining incidents in Balochistan in recent years, claimed the lives of 34 miners who were trapped at a depth of 3,000 to 4,000 feet below the surface. All 34 victims hailed from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shangla district, highlighting a pattern of recurring tragedies in the area.

Abid Yaar, president of the Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association, revealed that the victims ranged in age from 17 to 25, many of whom were siblings or close relatives, and several were orphans whose fathers had also succumbed to previous mining disasters. The mining community is now grappling with concerns over mine safety standards, regulatory oversight, and the enforcement of safety protocols within the province’s coal mining sector.

These investigations are expected to shed light on accountability and inform future reforms aimed at enhancing worker safety and preventing similar tragedies in the future.