Pakistan army soldier, mine workers and local residents gather outside a coal mine after a explosion in Sorrange near Quetta, March 20, 2011. — Photo by AP

QUETTA: Rescue workers had retrieved the bodies of 43 miners from a coalmine in Balochistan province which collapsed and caught fire on Sunday after powerful methane gas explosions, DawnNews reported.

Iftikhar Ahmed, provincial chief inspector of mines for Balochistan, said: All 43 bodies have been recovered.

“There are no survivors and the mine is being sealed,” Ahmed said.

The 4,000-foot deep mine was being run by the state-owned Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation in Sorrange area near here. Rescue workers on Tuesday concluded their preliminary operations.

A court of inquiry was constituted to probe the incident whereas Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani also constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the matter and present a report within three days time.

Earlier on Monday, Balochistan Irrigation Minister Sardar Aslam Bezenjo said 45 miners had been killed.

Most of the miners belonged to Swat and Malakand. The bodies retrieved were being sent to their native towns.