ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- An explosion in a coal mine in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province killed three miners and trapped at least four others, local media and officials said on Monday.
Local official Abdul Wali said the incident happened in Duki village some 160 km north of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan province.
The official said three bodies were recovered as the search for the remaining missing miners continued, but the chances of their survivals were slim.
The explosion was caused by the accumulation of poisonous gas in the mine, reported local Urdu TV channel Express, adding that as a result of the blast, a portion of the mine caved in, trapping the miners who were working in the mine at the depth of about 518 meters inside the debris.
Earlier on Dec. 27 last year, at least three laborers were killed after a coal mine collapsed in Chamalang area of the province.
According to the latest government data, at least 20,000 workers are employed in 2,500 mines across Balochistan.
