Seven killed in Pakistan coal mine explosion
02 January 2013
Seven miners were killed in a coal mine explosion in the Doli area of Orakzai tribal region of Northern Pakistan on December 24, according to Dawn.com. Reports suggested that over 50 people were working underground at the time. A number of workers were injured, although the exact number is unknown.
Local sources said the blast was caused by a build up of methane gas at the Abul Hassan colliery.
According to Dawn.com there are more than 4,000 coal mines in Orakzai, most with poor safety standards and facilities.
According to official data, 165 miners were killed in the tribal region over 2012, but local sources quoted by Dawn claim the actual death toll is higher, because most incidents are not reported to save the mine owners from punishment.
In 2011, 45 people were killed in a methane gas explosion in a mine in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.