Gas Explosion at Iranian Coal Mine Claims 51 Lives

A devastating explosion, caused by a methane gas leak at a coal mine in Tabas, eastern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of at least 51 workers, marking one of the most tragic workplace accidents in the country in recent years.

The incident occurred on Saturday night around 9:00 pm local time (1730 GMT) in South Khorasan province.

Reports indicate that approximately 70 workers were on site at the time of the explosion, with around 20 sustaining injuries.

Initial figures had placed the death toll at 30, but as more bodies were recovered, the number of confirmed fatalities rose to 51.

State media confirmed that the explosion was caused by a methane gas leak in two sections of the mine, which is owned by the private Iranian firm Madanjoo.

The blast trapped workers approximately 250 meters (820 feet) below the surface, hindering rescue efforts due to the hazardous levels of methane gas in the mine’s chambers.

Emergency services, including ambulances and helicopters, were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Footage broadcast by state television depicted the grim reality of the disaster, with the bodies of some of the victims, still in their work uniforms, being pulled out of the mine on makeshift carts.

Videos shared by Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, captured the sombre scenes as rescue workers attempted to clear debris and locate missing miners.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his condolences to the families of the victims before his scheduled departure for the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He has called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion. Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who is on his way to the site, indicated that “gas condensation” is likely the primary cause of the blast.

Authorities have declared three days of public mourning in South Khorasan province. Meanwhile, rescue teams are continuing their search for any remaining bodies, though gas accumulation in the mine has made retrieval efforts increasingly difficult.

The Iranian Red Crescent has confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing, but they face significant challenges due to the high concentration of gas in the affected chambers.

Iran’s coal mining industry has been plagued by similar incidents in recent years. Last year, a gas explosion in the northern city of Damghan claimed six lives, while in 2017, a similar blast in Azad Shahr left 43 workers dead.

The Tabas mine, one of the largest and most resource-rich coal deposits in the country, spans an area of over 30,000 square kilometres.

It holds significant reserves of both coking and thermal coal, making it a vital part of Iran’s coal production.

However, the frequent accidents highlight ongoing safety concerns within the industry, raising questions about the enforcement of regulations and the safety measures in place to protect workers.