QUETTA, Pakistan — Tragically, a methane gas explosion has led to the death of at least three miners after a coal mine collapsed in a remote area of southwest Pakistan. Officials confirmed the incident on Friday, stating that efforts are currently underway to locate nine other miners who remain unaccounted for.

According to Abdul Ghani, a mines inspector, the explosion took place late Thursday night in Singidi, a town located in Balochistan province. Rescuers have managed to recover the bodies of three victims and are meticulously working to clear debris from the mine to facilitate the ongoing rescue operations.

Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, assured that all resources are being allocated to the rescue mission. He also announced that a formal investigation will be conducted to ascertain the circumstances leading to the mine’s collapse.

Historically, the coal mining sector has seen inadequate safety measures, a problem that has contributed to numerous accidents and fatalities in recent years. Meanwhile, on the same day, security forces in Pakistan successfully rescued eight out of sixteen miners who had been abducted by local militants. Authorities are continuing their efforts to free the remaining miners still held by the militants.

In a related incident across the border in India’s northeastern Assam state, the search for several trapped miners continues, now marking its fifth day. Efforts to locate and rescue the individuals have been hampered by flooding in the region’s coal mine. Reports indicate that at least nine miners have been trapped since Monday morning when water from an inactive mine flooded the operational site in the Umrangso area of Dima Hasao district, roughly 125 miles south of Guwahati, the state capital.

Local government minister Kaushik Rai commented on the ongoing situation, noting that despite the best efforts of army divers, the structure remains inundated and the water levels have not receded, further complicating rescue attempts.