DUBAI (Reuters) – A gas explosion at a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan Province has killed at least 31 people and injured 16, the country’s interior minister Eskandar Momeni told reporters on Sunday.
Earlier, the local media reported that 51 people died following an accident they said was caused by the explosion of methane gas in two wards, B and C, in the private mine owned by the Madanjoo company.
Momeni added that 17 miners are still missing and it is not known where they have gone since the rescue team is still 400 meters away from where it was expected to arrive. They are expected to reach it tomorrow after removing the debris and remaining gas.
There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion, state TV reported.
“76% of the coal is found in this region and about 8 to 10 large companies operate in the region, including the Madanjoo company,” South Khorasan Province governor Ali Akbar Rahimi told provincial TV on Sunday.
The mine was inspected last month and complied with all safety regulations, Labor minister Ahmad Meydari told state media, denying any wrongdoing and adding that “such incidents happen suddenly in the most advanced mines around the world”.
The local public prosecutor has been ordered to conduct an investigation into the incident.
The explosion occurred at 9 pm (1730 GMT) on Saturday, state media said.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian sent their condolences to the families of the victims.
