Twelve coal miners were feared dead after a gas explosion at a coal pit in Balochistan on Thursday, officials said.

A local rescue team began the search for the workers at the private mine in Singidi, Balochistan, before being joined by two teams from Quetta.

“An accumulation of methane gas caused the explosion,” said Abdullah Shawani, the head of the province’s mining department.

“Twelve workers were inside a private mine when the entire mine collapsed after an explosion,” added Abdul Ghani Baloch, a senior official of the department.

He said rescue teams were slowed because they could not find the entrance to the mine.

Confirming the incident, Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind highlighted the continuing dangers miners face, stating: “Hazardous working conditions in coal mines continue to claim precious lives daily.” He further emphasized the challenges rescuers face due to the collapsed mine’s unstable structure.

Despite the difficulties, Rind assured the public that “every effort is being made to rescue the trapped miners.” However, he admitted that the risk to rescue workers remains significant and so far there are no updates on the fate of the 12 miners.

The spokesman called for immediate attention to safety measures in coal mining, stating: “It is high time to prioritize safety to prevent such tragedies in the future.” Rescue teams, supported by local authorities, continue their operations with the hope of a successful outcome.

Pakistan’s mines are known for having dangerous working conditions and poor safety standards, and fatal incidents are not uncommon.

Twelve miners were killed in a gas explosion at the same mine last June.

With additional input from AFP