Death toll rises to 52 in Iran mine blast, probe underway
An Iranian lawmaker said Monday that a thorough investigation into the recent mine blast in Tabas, South Khorasan Province, will be conducted, with a final report to be submitted to the legislature for efficient decision-making.
The death toll from the devastating explosion at a mining company in Tabas has increased to 52, with 20 others injured, according to ISNA.
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.
Rescue teams are working to recover the bodies of 14 miners still trapped in block C of the coal mine, said Ali Khezrian, who is the spokesman for the Article 90 Commission of Parliament.
“We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident,” added Khezrian. “The probe will involve ministers of interior, industry, and labor, judicial officials, provincial authorities, mining experts, and managers.”
A three-day period of public mourning has been declared in the eastern Iranian province as of Monday.
The rescue efforts are being hampered due to the accumulation of methane gas and the need for venting the gas out of the mine.
Preliminary investigations by a parliamentary team and experts suggest that the mine’s traditional coal extraction methods increase the risk of further accidents. “The mine and similar ones should be modernized to include monitoring and methane drainage systems to prevent such disasters from recurring,” Khezrian explained.
Iran is one of 15 countries with diverse mineral resources, accounting for 6% of the total domestic production rate, with 68 mineral materials extracted from its mines. However, the use of outdated methods at the Tabas mine and others like it poses a significant risk to miners, officials said.
“To prevent similar disasters, the mine and others like it must modernize to include mechanization, monitoring and methane drainage systems,” Khezrian said.