An explosion in a coal mine southwestern Pakistan has killed 34 miners, according to Pakistani authorities.
Thursday's deadly explosion, which likely occurred due to a build-up of methane gas, took place in a mine near Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province. Around 40 miners were on site at the time of the blast.
What are officials saying?
Balochistan's senior government mining official Ghani Baloch said that rescue operations would continue until all miners were found, but added that "the chances of finding anyone alive diminish" due to methane explosions rapidly consuming oxygen.
Rescue efforts were taking place at a depth of 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), the chief inspector of mines said.
