Explosion at Iranian Coal Mine Kills 51, Rescue Efforts Hampered by Gas Leak

A gas leak leading to an explosion in an Iranian coal mine has claimed 51 lives, according to Iranian state media, which described the ongoing rescue operations as highly challenging.

The explosion took place in two sections of the Madanjoo mine in Tabas, South Khorasan, eastern Iran. The mine is managed by a private local firm, Madanjoo Company.

While it is too early for definitive conclusions, Saeed Samadi, secretary of Iran’s coal industry association, told local media, “Based on my 30 years of experience, it seems likely that a sudden gas explosion triggered this major incident.” He was quoted by the Financial Times.

Samadi further explained, “The accident at the Tabas mine appears to have occurred above one of the workshops, and the explosion was so severe that it resulted in numerous fatalities, including the mine’s safety manager.”

A total of 69 miners were in the area affected by the explosion, leading to the suffocation of at least 34 people, according to state news agency IRNA. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the head of the local emergency services said it is extremely difficult to reach the injured, as they are trapped 700 metres diagonally and 250 metres vertically underground.

The rescue operation is further complicated by high levels of methane gas in the mine chambers where the workers are trapped, IRNA reported.

The governor of South Khorasan province told Reuters that this region supplies 76% of Iran’s coal, with eight to 10 major companies, including Madanjoo Company, operating there.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered a thorough investigation into the disaster and instructed additional rescue teams to be dispatched to the site.