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 state media.
Local media reported earlier on Sunday that 51 people were killed in the accident, which they said was caused by a methane gas explosion in two blocks of a private mine operated by the Madanjoo company.
Mr Momeni added that 17 miners were still missing and their fate unknown, with rescue teams still 400 metres from their likely location. They were expected to reach it on Monday after removing the rubble and excess gas.
There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion, state television reported.
South Khorasan provincial governor Ali Akbar Rahimi told state television: “76 percent of the country’s coal comes from this region and about eight to ten big companies are working in the area, including the Madanjoo company.”
“Seventeen injured people were taken to hospital and 24 people are still missing,” state television said earlier Sunday, citing the head of the Iranian Red Crescent.
The explosion occurred at 9 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) on Saturday, state media reported.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian offered his condolences to the victims’ families. “I have spoken with the ministers and we will do our best to follow up,” he said.
