A gas explosion in a coal mine near Quetta, Balochistan, has claimed the lives of 28 miners, with 23 originating from the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The tragedy has plunged Mian Kaly village, Shangla, into deep mourning, as nearly every household experienced a loss. The deceased miners, aged 17 to 25, were largely young men from related families, with some already orphaned by previous mining accidents. Union leaders attribute the disaster to negligence by mine administration and a lack of fundamental safety protocols such as proper ventilation. Families have criticized the government for failing to provide adequate transport for the bodies, forcing them to bear the costs themselves. The incident underscores the lack of alternative employment opportunities in Shangla, driving young men to risk their lives in dangerous coal mines.