Bleak Outlook for 31 Men Trapped in Pakistan Mine

A mine explosion in Pakistan killed 21 people yesterday, and officials say there is little hope that any of the remaining 31 men trapped inside will make it out alive, reports AP. Making the situation worse is a poisonous methane leak, which officials say has been preventing rescue workers from trying to save the survivors. "We are trying our best to rescue as many workers as we can, but the chance of finding survivors is bleak now," said one mine inspector.

The government-owned mine was actually declared dangerous two weeks ago, but no one took any action. Most of the dead found so far were suffocated by the dangerous gas. The mine, located in a distant part of southwestern Pakistan, was poorly ventilated, and the build-up of gas caused three explosions yesterday. (More mine accident stories.)