A methane gas explosion tore through two coal mines in Pakistan's Sorange coalfield on Thursday, killing at least 32 miners and leaving two others trapped underground as rescue efforts continued into Friday. The blast, which triggered a fire and caused the mines to collapse, has once again highlighted the perilous conditions facing workers in the region's coal sector. Main Developments Chief Inspector of Mines Balochistan Muhammad Atif confirmed that 34 miners were inside the two mines when the explosion occurred. Recovery teams have so far pulled 32 bodies from the rubble, with the search for the remaining two still underway in the mine where the blast originated. The explosion struck Thursday afternoon at a private coal mine roughly 30 kilometers northeast of Quetta, where 24 miners were working about 4,000 feet underground. The blast, heard across a wide area of Sorange, sparked a fire that collapsed parts of the structure and severely damaged a nearby mine holding 12 more workers. Read also: Twin Ambush in DI Khan Kills Two Officers During Protest Fallout Mining engineers and workers carved alternative routes to reach the affected areas, but heavy methane gas concentrations and the ongoing fire have slowed efforts to access the dead and trapped miners. The operation remains focused on the primary blast site. Background Balochistan's coal mines have a history of deadly accidents linked to poor safety standards and gas buildup. In June, three people were injured when explosive material detonated accidentally in the Khanuzai area of Quetta division. Earlier, in April, three coal miners lost their lives in a separate mine accident in Bolan. The Sorange coalfield, a key mining hub near the provincial capital, has seen repeated incidents, underscoring systemic challenges in enforcement of mining regulations. Provincial authorities have often announced compensation and inquiries after such tragedies, but critics point to a pattern of recurring disasters. Why It Matters Each blast claims lives that are rarely replaced by meaningful safety reforms, leaving families in mining communities to bear the economic and emotional toll. The incident also puts pressure on the Balochistan government to demonstrate accountability, as public trust in mining oversight erodes with every repeat tragedy. Compensation packages, while providing some relief, do little to address the root causes—lack of modern equipment, inadequate ventilation, and weak regulatory enforcement. For the region's economy, which relies heavily on coal, the disaster raises questions about the true cost of extraction. What's Next Rescue teams are continuing their search for the two missing miners, though methane levels and fire remain obstacles. Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Shoaib Nosherwani has announced Rs500,000 compensation for each deceased miner's family and Rs300,000 for each injured worker, with an inquiry into the incident promised. The inquiry's findings will be closely watched to see whether it leads to concrete safety measures or becomes another routine response to a recurring crisis. Families of the victims await both the recovery of loved ones and answers about how this tragedy was allowed to happen.