A coal mine explosion in Iran left at least 38 dead and 14 others missing as rescue operations continued this week.
A sudden methane gas leak triggered the explosion at the coal mine in Tabas, located about 335 miles southeast of Tehran, on Saturday night. By Sunday, grieving miners stood by, watching as mine cars brought up the coal dust-covered bodies of their colleagues.
At least 14 others were still missing as of Monday morning, officials in Iran said. Iranian state-run news agency IRNA reported the updated death toll following the explosion.
Survivors, their faces still streaked with coal dust, recounted the chaos following the explosion in interviews with Iranian state television.
"We were in the mine, working. Suddenly, there was some smoke rising...then I noticed I had difficulty breathing," one miner, who was not identified by state TV, said. "I jumped off from the workshop, and I scrambled until I reached somewhere (safe). My friends (remained) in there."
The explosion occurred just as workers began their shift. Mine gas inspections conducted earlier that night had shown no signs of leakage. Officials added that the bodies recovered showed no blast injuries, indicating that many workers likely died from the gas exposure before the explosion occurred.
These types of gases are frequently encountered in mining, but modern safety protocols typically require ventilation systems and other precautions to safeguard workers.
Details about the safety measures at the privately operated Tabas Parvadeh 5 mine, run by Mandanjoo Co., remain unclear. The Associated Press reported that the company could not be reached for comment following the incident.
Iran's new reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, announced Sunday that he had ordered a full-scale effort to rescue those trapped and provide support to their families. Pezeshkian added that an investigation into the explosion was already underway.
"I spoke with the ministers of health, interior and security and ordered that the issues of the families of the victims and the injured be quickly resolved," Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office. "I also requested to take measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents by improving work standards in the country's mines."
Iran's mining sector has seen its share of tragedies. In 2017, a coal mine blast claimed the lives of at least 42 people. Then-President Hassan Rouhani, who was campaigning for reelection at the time, visited the northern Golestan province where the disaster occurred. Furious miners surrounded his SUV, kicking and pounding the armored vehicle in protest.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
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