A gas leak explosion at an Iranian coal mine has claimed the lives of at least 51 workers, marking one of the country’s deadliest industrial accidents in years, according to state media reports on Sunday.
The official IRNA news agency updated the death toll from an initial count of 30 and reported that 20 others were injured in the blast, which occurred around 9 PM (1730 GMT) at the Tabas mine in eastern Iran’s South Khorasan province. The explosion was triggered by a methane gas leak in two sections of the mine, owned by the private firm Madanjoo.
State television aired footage of ambulances and helicopters arriving to transport the injured to hospitals. Video clips shared by IRNA showed the bodies of victims, still in their work uniforms, being carried away on mining carts.
South Khorasan Governor Javad Ghenaat announced that rescue teams are actively working to recover the remaining trapped workers. Reports indicate that some individuals may be located about 250 meters below the surface, impeded by chambers filled with concentrated methane gas. Local prosecutor Ali Nesaei highlighted the challenges faced by rescue operations due to gas accumulation, stating that the priority remains to assist the injured and rescue those trapped.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian extended his condolences to the victims’ families and ordered an investigation into the incident before departing for the UN General Assembly in New York. His first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, assured cabinet members of the need for emergency support for the victims and their families.
This tragic incident follows a history of mining accidents in Iran, including a 2017 blast that killed 43 miners and a 2021 collapse that resulted in two fatalities. The Tabas mine, which spans over 30,000 square kilometers, is recognized as one of Iran’s richest coal areas, boasting significant reserves of coking and thermal coal.
