Death Toll At Iran Coal Mine Explosion Rises To 50; Workers Still Trapped (image @LivinginTehran)

An explosion at a mine in Iran has killed 51, and injured over 20, said Iranian state media. It also added that several workers are still trapped. The blast happened due to  a methane gas leak at a coal mine run by the Madanjoo company in Tabas, some 540km (335 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran, said IRNA news agency.

Over two blocks in the mine – B and C, at least 69 people were working when the blast happened. As per the report, the gas leak happened at 9:00 pm. Rescue operation in the lock B has been completed. Of the 47 workers who were in the block 30 died and 17 were injured, the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV.

The rescue operation in block C have started. Due to the high density of methane in the block, the rescue work will take around three to four hours, he said.

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“76 percent of the country’s coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region…”, said Rahimi.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, who was preparing to fly to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, said he ordered all efforts be made to rescue those trapped and aid their families. He also added that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

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Similar accident happened in Iran in 2017, when a coal  mine exploded and killed 47 people.  In 2013, 11 workers were killed in two separate mining incidents. At least 20 workers were killed in several incidents in 2009.

Lax safety standards and inadequate emergency services in mining areas are often blamed for such deaths and accidents.