Asia-Pacific

29 killed, 23 trapped in Pakistani coal mine blast

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-21 11:22

Rescue workers retrieve the body of one of the miners who was killed in an explosion sparked by methane gas inside a coal mine near Pakistan's southwest city of Quetta, March 20, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

ISLAMABAD - At least 29 dead bodies have been recovered with 23 people still remaining trapped inside a coal mine following a series of gas blasts that occurred early Sunday morning in the mine located near Pakistan's southwest city of Quetta, reported local English TV channel Express on Monday.

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According to the local media reports, the mishap took place at about 4:00 am (local time) Sunday when the accumulated gases due to poor ventilation in the mine located some 40 kilometers away from Quetta triggered off three blasts.

There were 52 miners working at the different levels of the mine, which are 200 feet to 1,000 feet deep underground, when the disaster happened.

Rescue workers said that the hope for the survivors trapped inside the mine is fading as they have been trapped inside the collapsed mine for more than 27 hours.