The report said the deaths happened at a coal mine in Tabas, some 540 kilometers (335 miles) southeast of the capital, TehranAP/AP

At least 30 killed in Iran mine blast

by · Africanews

A methane leak sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, killing at least 30 people and injuring 17 others, Iranian state media reported Sunday. Another 24 miners are believed to be trapped inside.

The report said the deaths happened at a coal mine in Tabas, some 540 kilometers (335 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.

Authorities were sending emergency personnel to the area after the blast late Saturday, it said. Around 70 people had been working there at the time of the blast. State TV later said 24 were believed to be trapped inside.

Provincial Governor Mohammad Javad Qenaat told state TV that 30 miners had been killed and 17 injured.

Iran’s new reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, preparing to travel 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 said an investigation into the incident had begun.

Oil-producing Iran is also rich in a variety of minerals. Iran annually consumes some 3.5 million tons of coal but only extracts about 1.8 million tons from its mines per year. The rest is imported, often consumed in the country’s steel mills.

On the same subject

Lebanon says 8 killed and over two thousand wounded by exploding pagersMembers of the Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, were among those injured when the communication devices exploded.Rédaction Africanews, 17 Sep 2024Trains collide in Egypt's Nile Delta leaving 3 dead, 29 injuredTwo passenger trains collided in Egypt’s Nile Delta on Saturday, killing at least three people, two of them children, authorities said.Rédaction Africanews, 15 Sep 2024South African farmers accused of killing two women, feeding bodies to pigsIt is alleged that in August, a truck belonging to a dairy company dumped potentially expired goods at Olivier's farm, prompting the women, Locadia Ndlovu and Maria Makgatho, to trespass and try to collect the products.Rédaction Africanews, 10 Sep 2024Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei's parents demand justiceThe marathon runner died four days after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend.Rédaction Africanews, 05 Sep 2024Explosions at a military ammunition depot in Chad's capital kill 9"Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the bereaved families and quick recovery to the injured," Deby said on FacebookRédaction Africanews, 19 Jun 2024Explosion kills 11 workers at a sugar factory in TanzaniaMtibwa is one of the country's major sugar producing factories, producing at least 70,000 metric tons of sugar annually.Rédaction Africanews, 24 May 2024