Gas Leak in Iranian Coal Mine Claims 51 Lives

A gas leak that triggered an explosion in an Iranian coal mine has claimed the lives of 51 individuals, according to reports from Iranian state media. The rescue efforts to save survivors have been described as highly challenging.

The explosion took place in two sections of the Madanjoo mine, located in Tabas, South Khorasan, in eastern Iran. The mine is run by the private company, Madanjoo Company.

It is still too soon to determine the exact cause, but a sudden gas explosion seems to be the likely explanation for this devastating event. The blast occurred above the workers in one of the workshops.

At the time of the incident, 69 miners were working in the affected area, with at least 34 workers having died from suffocation. Rescue operations are ongoing, but the local emergency services director warned that the task is daunting due to the depth of the mine—700 meters diagonally and 250 meters vertically.

The rescue teams are dealing with high concentrations of methane gas in the mine chambers where the workers remain trapped.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the cause of the incident and directed additional rescue personnel to be dispatched to the site.

Image credit: News Central