ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A blast at a coal mine in Iran’s south Khorasan province killed at least 34 mine workers, state media reported on Sunday.
The explosion occurred at around 9 pm local time (1930 GMT) on Saturday night, due to a “release of methane gas in one of the tunnels” in a coal mine owned by the private Iranian firm Madanjoo, according to IRNA, adding that 69 workers were in the coal mine at the time of the explosion.
“The death toll from the Madanjoo mine accident in Tabas County has risen to 34,” IRNA reported citing Mohammad Ali Akhoondi, the director general of the south Khorasan general director of management crisis.
At least 20 others were injured, and several people were trapped under the rubble, according to IRNA.
Ambulances and helicopters were dispatched to the area to transport the injured to a nearby hospital.
Eight specialized teams are carrying out rescue operations from the blast that occurred in a 700-meter-long diagonal tunnel with a depth of 250 meters.
Iran’s Industry Minister Mohammed Atabak announced, during a visit to the site of the explosion, that the “work of the private company responsible for this coal mine is under investigation.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian offered his condolences to the families of the victims and ordered the launch of an investigation.
"Unfortunately, we learned that an accident occurred in one of the coal mines in Tabas and a number of our compatriots lost their lives. I offer my condolences to their respected families," Pezeshkian told state TV, ahead of flying to New York to attend the UN General Assembly.
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
