Ambulances on the scene of a blast at a coal mine in Tabas in Iran’s Khorasan province on 22 September 2024. (Iranian Purple Crescent / AFP)
A gasoline explosion in a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan Province killed at the least 51 individuals and injured 20, Iran’s state media stated on Sunday.
The accident was brought on by a methane gasoline explosion in two blocks, B and C, of the mine run by the Madanjoo firm, state media stated.
“Seventy-six % of the nation’s coal is offered from this area and round 8 to 10 large corporations are working within the area together with Madanjoo firm,” the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi instructed state TV on Sunday.
The rescue operation in block B has been accomplished. Of the 47 staff who have been within the block 30 died and 17 have been injured, Rahimi stated earlier.
Rescue operations in block C have began. Methane density within the block is excessive and the operation will take round 3-4 hours, he added.
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There have been 69 staff within the blocks on the time of the explosion, state TV reported.
“Seventeen injured individuals have been transported to the hospital and 24 persons are nonetheless lacking,” it stated earlier on Sunday citing the top of Iran’s Purple Crescent.
The explosion occurred at 21:00 (17:30 GMT) on Saturday, state media stated.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims’ households. “I spoke with ministers and we’ll do our greatest to observe up,” Pezeshkian stated in televised feedback.