Gas Explosion in Iranian Coal Mine Kills 51, Rescue Operations Continue
A methane gas explosion in a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan Province killed at least 51 people and injured 20 others, according to state media reports on Sunday. The tragic accident occurred in two blocks, B and C, of the mine operated by the Madanjoo company, which is one of the largest mining operations in the region.
The explosion took place at around 9 p.m. (1730 GMT) on Saturday and triggered a large-scale rescue operation. According to Ali Akbar Rahimi, the governor of South Khorasan Province, rescue teams have completed operations in block B, where 30 of the 47 workers present at the time of the blast were confirmed dead and 17 were injured.
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Efforts to rescue miners in block C are still ongoing due to high methane density in the area, which is complicating the operation. “The operation in block C is expected to take another 3-4 hours,” Rahimi said.
There were 69 workers in the affected blocks when the explosion occurred. The head of Iran’s Red Crescent reported that 17 injured miners have been transported to the hospital, while 24 workers remain missing.
South Khorasan Province is a significant hub for coal production in Iran, supplying 76% of the country’s coal. “Around 8 to 10 major companies operate in this region, including Madanjoo,” Rahimi said, emphasizing the importance of the mining sector to the local and national economy.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “I spoke with ministers, and we will do our best to follow up,” Pezeshkian stated in televised comments.
