A rescue effort is underway as 18 miners are believed to be trapped in the mine’s tunnels at a depth of 700 metres below the surface.
ADVERTISEMENTAn explosion at an Iranian coal mine triggered by a methane leak has killed at least 32 people and injured 17 others, Iranian state media reported on Sunday. Another 18 miners are believed to be trapped inside the site.
The report said the explosion occurred at a coal mine in Tabas, 540 kilometres southeast of the capital, Tehran.
Authorities were sending emergency personnel to the area after the blast late on Saturday, it said. Around 70 people had been working there at the time of the blast. State television later said that 18 were believed to be trapped inside in tunnels at a depth of 700 metres below the surface.
A video posted on social media platform X showed ambulances at the coal mine.
President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian said he ordered all efforts be made to rescue those trapped and aid their families. He also said an investigation into the incident had begun.
This is not the first disaster to strike Iran’s mining industry. In 2013, 11 workers were killed in two separate mining incidents. In 2009, 20 workers were killed in several incidents. In 2017, a coal mine explosion killed at least 42 people.
Weak safety standards and inadequate emergency services in mining areas are often blamed for fatalities.
