<p>The blast in the mine at Sorang, located about 30 km from provincial capital Quetta, was caused by the accumulation of methane gas.<br /><br />The mine is operated by the state-run Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation.<br />Officials said the bodies of five miners had been pulled out so far while 46 more were trapped in the shaft.<br /><br />Twelve unconscious miners were pulled out by rescue workers.<br />Rescue teams began removing rubble from the mine though efforts were hampered by the lack of machinery, TV news channels reported.<br /><br />Over 50 workers were in the poorly ventilated mine when the blast occurred.<br />One entrance to the mine was blocked by debris while the accumulation of gases made it dangerous to go into two other entrances, officials told the media.<br /><br />Mishaps occur quite frequently in coal mines in Balochistan due to lax safety standards.<br />Pakistan is estimated to have coal reserves of over 180 billion tonnes.</p>
<p>The blast in the mine at Sorang, located about 30 km from provincial capital Quetta, was caused by the accumulation of methane gas.<br /><br />The mine is operated by the state-run Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation.<br />Officials said the bodies of five miners had been pulled out so far while 46 more were trapped in the shaft.<br /><br />Twelve unconscious miners were pulled out by rescue workers.<br />Rescue teams began removing rubble from the mine though efforts were hampered by the lack of machinery, TV news channels reported.<br /><br />Over 50 workers were in the poorly ventilated mine when the blast occurred.<br />One entrance to the mine was blocked by debris while the accumulation of gases made it dangerous to go into two other entrances, officials told the media.<br /><br />Mishaps occur quite frequently in coal mines in Balochistan due to lax safety standards.<br />Pakistan is estimated to have coal reserves of over 180 billion tonnes.</p>