A gas leak explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran has claimed the lives of at least 51 people, according to state media on Sunday. More than 20 others were injured following the blast in the South Khorasan province.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by a methane gas leak, occurred in two sections of the mine in Tabas, located 540 km (335 miles) southeast of Tehran.
The incident took place at 21:00 local time (17:30 GMT) on Saturday, as reported by state media.
South Khorasan Governor Javad Ghenaatzadeh confirmed that there were 69 workers in the two blocks of the mine at the time of the explosion.
There was an explosion, and unfortunately 69 people were working in the B and C blocks of Madanjoo mine. Block C had 22 people, and block B had 47.
The number of survivors and those still trapped remains uncertain. Initial reports from state media put the death toll at 30, but it has since been updated.
“The number of dead workers increased to 51, while the number of injured rose to 20,” the official IRNA news agency stated.
Gas Explosions in Iran Coal Mines (Photo: Huang Shi Peng)
Iranian state TV, citing the head of the country’s Red Crescent, reported earlier on Sunday that 24 people were still unaccounted for.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended his condolences to the victims’ families. In a televised statement, he said, “I spoke with ministers, and we will do everything in our power to address this.”
The Tabas mine, covering over 30,000 square kilometers (about 11,600 square miles), is known for its significant reserves of coking and thermal coal, according to IRNA. It is considered the largest and most resource-rich coal mining area in Iran.
Local prosecutor Ali Nesaei told state media that gas buildup in the mine was complicating rescue efforts. He added, “The immediate priority is to provide aid to the injured and rescue those trapped under the rubble.”
Nesaei also mentioned that any negligence or wrongdoing by those responsible would be addressed at a later time.
This incident comes after previous tragedies in Iranian coal mines. Last year, a gas explosion in Damghan killed six people, and in May 2021, two miners died at the same site.
A major blast in 2017 in the northern city of Azad Shahr left 43 miners dead, sparking widespread public outrage at Iranian authorities.
