Pakistan: At least six killed, five hospitalised after poisonous gas leak inside coal mine

At least six were killedand five were hospitalised after a poisonous gas leak inside a coal mine in Pakistan's Balochistan on Friday. Rescue officials said workers died after the mine was filled with gas.

Anofficial said that 11 workers were trapped in the mine when the poisonous gas leaked. Other coal miners called rescue workers and did their best to rescue their co-workers but six died due to the gas whilefive others were rescued and moved to Shahrag's basic health unit, reported news agency PTI.

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Medic official, Dr Muhammad Akbar, confirmed they received six dead bodies.

This is not the first instance in the province which is rich in natural resources,where safety negligence has cost workers their lives.

The central leader of the South Asian country's mine association, Peer Muhammad Kakar said that despite reminding government authorities and officials of the unsafe conditions, no steps were taken andthe workers continue to work in hazardous conditions.

He said, "Such incidents have claimed hundreds of lives in the last few years but nobody cares. These are death holes, not mines."

Kakar added that sincemine owners and contractors have good links with the government and authorities, whenever such incidents occur no action is ever taken against them for negligence, however, a small compensation is paid to the families of victims and then everyone forgets about it.

It is just not coal mines incidents, workers in the province have also fallen prey to militant attacks.

Militant attacks in Pakistan are on the rise. Last week, four coal miners were killed and three were injured after unidentified armed militants attacked them at a mine.

(With inputs from agencies)

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