Tabas, Sep 22 (V7N) – A deadly explosion in a coal mine in eastern Iran has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 workers, with 17 others sustaining injuries. The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday in the Tabas region, approximately 540 kilometres southeast of Tehran, is believed to have been caused by a methane gas leak.

According to reports from Iranian state television and the IRNA news agency, the gas leak occurred late Saturday night. At the time of the incident, 69 miners were working in a tunnel. Emergency teams have so far managed to rescue 28 workers, who have been transported to a local hospital for treatment. However, around 24 workers are still believed to be trapped beneath the debris, raising concerns for their safety.

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has ordered an immediate rescue operation to save those trapped and urged authorities to provide assistance to the affected families. He has also called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

This disaster is the latest in a series of fatal mining accidents in Iran, highlighting the ongoing safety issues within the country’s mining industry. In 2017, at least 42 workers were killed in a coal mine explosion, and similar incidents in 2013 and 2009 claimed 11 and 20 lives, respectively.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, but authorities fear that the death toll could rise further as many remain unaccounted for in the collapsed tunnel.

END/RH/AJ