QUETTA, April 27: The tribunal officer carrying out a probe into the Sorrange coalmine accident which claimed lives of dozens of miners, has directed officials of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) to present a report on the issue at the next hearing of the tribunal.

Methane gas explosions at a coalmine in the Sorrange area on March 20 had killed 43 miners and, according to officials, the mine had been poorly ventilated, allowing poisonous gases to accumulate and trigger the blasts.

The tribunal officer, Jahangir Alam, on Wednesday accepted the suggestion of Additional Advocate General of Balochistan that notices should be published in newspapers so that any member of society having any information about the accident could record statement before the tribunal.

The tribunal asked the General Manager of Mines and Mineral Corporation to produce the interim report at the next hearing.

It also directed representatives of Mine Workers’ Union to be present at the next hearing.

The Chief Inspector of Mines and Safety Engineer of Mines were directed to be present at the next hearing along with relevant record and list of those workers with their names and designations who had been working in the mine at the time of accident.

The hearing was adjourned till April 29.

The Secretary of Mines and Mineral Development Corporation, Chief Inspector of Mines, Deputy General Manager of Mines and Mineral Development Corporation and Director of Coal Branch of Mineral Department also attended the proceedings of the tribunal.