QUETTA, Pakistan — Officials reported that at least 12 miners remain trapped following a methane gas explosion that led to a mine collapse in a remote region of southwestern Pakistan. Efforts are currently underway to rescue those trapped miners.

Abdul Ghani, a mines inspector, explained that the explosion occurred late Thursday night in the town of Singidi, located in Balochistan province. He indicated that rescuers are painstakingly removing debris in hopes of accessing the miners, but have yet to reach any of them.

Shahid Rind, a representative of the Balochistan government, stated that all necessary resources are being mobilized for the rescue mission. Additionally, he mentioned that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the mine’s collapse.

Historically, safety regulations in the coal mining sector have been inadequate, often resulting in accidents and loss of life over the years.

In a separate incident on the same day, security forces in Pakistan successfully rescued eight out of 16 mine workers who had been kidnapped by local militants.

Meanwhile, in Assam state, located in northeastern India, the search for individuals trapped in a flooded coal mine is entering its fifth day with optimism dwindling.

Nine miners became trapped on Monday morning when water surged in from a nearby abandoned mine in the Umrangso area of Dima Hasao district, roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of Guwahati, the state’s capital. On Wednesday, army divers were able to recover the body of one miner.

Local government minister Kaushik Rai stated, “There has been no success following the army divers’ discovery of the victim, as the affected mine remains flooded, and despite pumping efforts, the water level continues to be high.”