Coal Mine Blast in Pakistan Kills at Least 18 Miners and Traps 24 Others

PAKISTAN – An explosion inside a coal mine in southwest Pakistan killed at least 18 miners and trapped 24 others underground in what officials believed to be life-threatening conditions as rescuers raced to reach them.

The blast was triggered by a buildup of methane gas.

The bodies of the seven miners initially were recovered hours after the deadly blast, and emergency responders later found 11 more bodies.

Officials say rescue operations would continue until all the trapped miners were found, but they indicated that officials believed the death toll likely would rise further.