Mine blast claims over 50 lives in eastern Iran
A gas explosion in a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan Province killed at least 51 people and injured 20 others.
The incident was caused by a methane gas explosion on Saturday night in two blocks, B and C, of the mine run by Madanjoo company.
“There was an explosion and unfortunately 69 people were working in the B and C blocks of Madanjoo mine. In block C there were 22 people and in block B there were 47 people,” said Javad Ghenaatzadeh, South Khorasan governor.
Online footage carried by IRNA showed the bodies of some of the victims, wearing their work uniforms and being carried out of the site on mining carts.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society said search and rescue operations were underway in the mine but “gas accumulation in the mine” has made the search operations difficult.
It said the operations will continue to retrieve workers still trapped beneath the rubble at some 250 meters below the surface.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims’ families and ordered that all efforts be made to rescue those trapped and to help their families.
He also said an investigation into the incident had begun.
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also spoke with cabinet members to ensure “emergency follow-up” and support for the victims and their families.
Authorities in South Khorasan announced three days of mourning across the eastern province following the tragic incident.
Leader's condolences
In a message on Sunday, Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei extended his condolences on the tragic incident and underscored the need for maximum efforts to provide relief to those affected by the mine blast.
“I offer my condolences to the families of these dear ones and the people of that area for the bitter and sad incident in the coal mine in Tabas, in which a number of workers were killed or injured,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
“I emphasize to the relief team that went to the accident site on behalf of the government authorities to do their best to rescue them and to take all necessary measures to reduce the scale of this calamity. Immediate attention to the situation of the injured should also be taken care of.”
Last year, an explosion at a coal mine in the northern city of Damghan killed six people, also likely the result of methane leak. A blast in 2017 also killed 43 miners in Azad Shahr city in northern Iran.
“76% of the country’s coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including the Madanjoo company,” the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV on Sunday.
Mineral-rich Iran has around 1.5 billion tons of proven coal reserves, according to state media.