Chief Inspector Mines Abdul Ghani Baloch said the blast occurred at the Sardar Usman Lease during working hours after methane gas accumulated inside the mine, triggering an explosion that trapped 25 miners working underground. Read more: Toxic gas in Balochistan mine kills threeThe chief inspector cited fears of further casualties as the operation continued amid challenges. He also asserted that the Balochistan government was continuously monitoring the rescue operation and all available resources were being utilised. In March, two Afghan miners suffocated after toxic methane gas accumulated inside a coal mine in the Chamalang area of Duki district. In June, two miners were killed when a coal mine caved in during excavation work in Harnai district's Khost area.