51 perish in Iran coal mine explosion

A blast caused by a methane gas leak at a privately-owned coal mine in Iran's eastern province of South Khorasan killed at least 51 people, state media said on Sunday, in one of the country's deadliest work accidents in years.

The explosion occurred at around 9:00 pm local time on Saturday, when around 70 workers were present at the site, IRNA said. It added that the methane leak led to the blast in two blocks of the mine, owned by private Iranian firm Madanjoo.

Earlier, speaking at the site of the rescue operations, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni gave the initial death toll of 31 with 16 injured. Momeni said that 17 miners were still missing and their fate remained unknown as rescue teams were still 400 metres away from their likely location.

"The number of dead workers increased to 51" in the explosion at the Tabas mine, the official IRNA news agency reported, revising an earlier death toll of 31. It said 20 more were injured. Footage carried by IRNA showed bodies of some of the victims in their work clothes, being brought out of the mine.

South Khorasan Governor Javad Ghenaat told state TV that rescue teams were working to recover the remaining bodies. Iran's Red Crescent said search and rescue operations were under way in the mine, where some workers remained trapped. He said that rescue "could last until tomorrow" (today).

IRNA reported that the miners were about 250 metres below the surface, cut off from rescuers by chambers that had filled with methane. An apparent "gas condensation" in the mine is believed to have been the cause of the explosion, said Momeni.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences at the "sad accident" and also urged the authorities to do everything they could to save those trapped. President Masoud Pezeshkian offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

"Unfortunately, we learned that an accident occurred in one of the coal mines in Tabas and a number of our compatriots lost their lives. I offer my condolences to their respected families," Pezeshkian said in remarks carried by state TV before he left for the UN General Assembly in New York.

An investigation into the incident has been ordered by the country's public prosecutor. However, Labour Minister Ahmad Meydari denied any case of negligence, saying that such "sudden events also happen in the most advanced mines globally".

Local prosecutor Ali Nesaei was quoted by IRNA as saying that gas accumulation in the mine made the search operations difficult. "Currently, the priority is to provide aid to the injured and pull people from under the rubble. "The negligence and fault of the relevant agents will be dealt with" later, he added.

South Khorasan officials told state TV that 76% of the country's coal was provided from this region where around 8 to 10 big companies were working. The authorities have announced three days of public mourning in the province.

The Tabas mine covers an area of more than 30,000 square kilometres and holds mass reserves of coking and thermal coal, according to IRNA. The mine went through inspections last month and complied with all safety regulations.