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Toll From Pakistan Coal Mine Explosions Reaches 23

by Associated Press

   QUETTA, PAKISTAN --

   Pakistani officials say the death toll from methane gas explosions in
   two coal mines has climbed to 23.

   Mine inspector Iftikhar Ahmed said Sunday that five more bodies have
   been recovered from one of the mines, bringing the death toll from the
   blast the day before to 16. Another seven people died in a separate
   blast Saturday, which also wounded two people. Ahmed says rescue
   operations have been completed at both sites.

   The mines are near the southwestern city of Quetta, an area where such
   accidents are common because of poor enforcement of safety regulations.
   The explosions were not linked.