On Sunday, Iran’s interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, told state media that a gas explosion in a coal mine in South Khorasan Province killed at least 31 persons and injured 16.
Earlier in the day, local media reported that 51 people had died as a result of a methane gas explosion in two blocks, B and C, of the privately owned mine operated by the Madanjoo firm. Momeni stated that 17 miners were still missing, and their fate was unclear because rescue personnel were still 400 meters from their suspected location. They were supposed to arrive by tomorrow after removing rubble and extra gas. According to state TV, were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion.
“This region provides 76% of the country’s coal, and 8 to 10 major companies, including Madanjoo, work there,” South Khorasan Province Governor Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV on Sunday.
The mine was inspected last month and conformed with all safety standards, labor minister Ahmad Meydari said to state media, denying any allegation of negligence and adding that such “sudden events also happen in the most advanced mines globally.”
The country’s public prosecutor has launched an investigation into the occurrence.
According to official media, the explosion occurred at 9 p.m. (1730 GMT) on Saturday. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed their sympathies to the victims’ families.
