A methane gas explosion at a coal mining complex in Pakistan's Balochistan province on July 30 has killed at least 11 workers, with dozens more still unaccounted for, according to local officials.

Shoaib Nosherwani, the provincial minister for mines, said 36 people were inside the collapsed section when the blast occurred. By late night on July 30, 25 remained missing.

Rescue teams are operating at a depth of about 1,200 meters, said Muhammad Atif, the province's chief mine inspector. "We are hopeful to find some miners alive, but chances are low," he noted.

Senior mining official Abdul Ghani Baloch confirmed that two adjacent mines were hit by a powerful methane blast.

The accident took place in Sorange, a remote area near the provincial capital, Quetta. Search and recovery efforts are continuing.