At least 51 dead in Iran coal mine blast: State TV
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
DUBAI – A gas explosion in a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan Province killed at least 51 people and injured 20, state television said on Sept 22, with 24 people still missing.
The accident was caused by a methane gas explosion in two blocks of the mine run by the Madanjoo company. There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion.
“About 76 per cent of the country’s coal is provided from this region, and around eight to 10 big companies are working in the region, including Madanjoo company,” South Khorasan Governor Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV.
The rescue operation in block B has been completed. Of the 47 workers who were in the block, 30 died and 17 were injured, Mr Rahimi said earlier.
Rescue operations in block C have started. Methane density in the block is high, and the operation will take around three to four hours, he added.
“Seventeen injured people were transported to the hospital, and 24 people are still missing,” state TV said earlier, citing the head of Iran’s Red Crescent.
The explosion occurred late in the evening on Sept 21.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
“I spoke with ministers, and we will do our best to follow up,” he said in televised comments. REUTERS
