Asia-Pacific

7 killed, 45 trapped in Pakistan coal mine blasts

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-20 16:02

ISLAMABAD - At least seven coal miners were killed and about 45 others trapped following a series of blasts that occurred Sunday morning in a coal mine near Quetta, capital city of Balochistan province in southwest Pakistan, reported local Urdu TV channel ARY.

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According to the report, the accident took place at about 4:00 am (local time) when the gases accumulated due to poor ventilation in a mine located some 40 kilometers northwest of Quetta triggered off three blasts.

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

Rescue team was dispatched to the site quickly following the blasts. So far only seven dead bodies have been recovered from the mine despite the fact that nearly eight hours have passed since the disaster happened.  

The death toll could further rise as some 45 other mine workers were still trapped inside the mine, said rescue workers.