11 miners killed in southwest Pakistan mishap

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - At least 11 people were killed in a coalmine accident in southwest Pakistan Monday, an official said.

The incident - the latest in a string of similar accidents - occurred near Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province due to gas leakage, Abdul Ghani Baloch, the provincial chief mines inspector, told reporters.

All the people were suffocated to death due to gas leakage, he added.

The deceased belonged to northwestern Swat Valley, a famous tourist destination.

All the bodies have been recovered and arrangements are being made to airlift the bodies to their hometown, Baloch said.

Coalmine accidents are not uncommon in Pakistan, mainly because of poor safety standards.

In March, 12 miners were killed in a gas explosion at a coalpit in Balochistan.