Iran: Over 50 Killed In Coal Mine Explosion Caused By Methane Leak

A methane leak caused an explosion at an Iranian coal mine, killing at least 30 people and trapping others.

An explosion at a coal mine in Iran killed 30 people while trapping others.

Source : X

At least 51 people were killed while 20 others were injured in a blast at a coal mine in eastern Iran. The explosion was caused by a methane leak at a coal mine in Tabas run by Madanjoo company, some 450 kilometres southeast of the capital Tehran. 

Emergency personnel were pressed to service in the area after the blast late Saturday, said the authorities, reported AP. Around 70 people were working in two blocks, B and C at the site when the blast took place at 9 om on Saturday. Some miners are believed to be trapped with exact numbers not known, reported AP. 

Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was preparing to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, said he has ordered all efforts to be made to rescue the trapped miners and assist their families. An investigation into the incident has also begun, he said. 

Rescue operations in block B have been completed, reported AlJazeera. Of the 47 workers trapped in block B, 30 died while 17 were injured the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV.

The rescuers have moved to block C and the operations have started, the governor said, adding that methane density in the block is high and the operation will take around three-four hours.

“76 percent of the country’s coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region…,” Rahimi said.

This is not the first time when a disaster has hit mining industry in the country. In 2017, 42 people died in coal mine explosion while 11 died in two separate mining incidents in 2013. At least 20 workers will killed in more such incidents in 2009. 

Non compliance of the safety standards and inadequate emergency services in mining areas are often the cause of the deaths.