A gas leak explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran has claimed the lives of at least 30 people, with over 20 others reported missing.
The incident occurred at the Tabas mine in South Khorasan province on Saturday evening, with state media revising the death toll from an earlier count of 19. Rescue teams are working to recover 22 trapped miners, while 17 others have been injured.
The blast, caused by a methane gas leak, took place around 9:00 PM (1730 GMT), when 69 workers were present at the site.
IRNA reported that the explosion affected two blocks of the mine.
Footage from state TV showed ambulances and helicopters at the scene, as well as bodies of some victims being transported in mining carts.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, before leaving for the UN General Assembly, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and ordered an investigation into the disaster. His vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, is coordinating emergency response efforts to assist the victims and their families.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but gas accumulation in the mine has hindered progress.
Local prosecutor Ali Nesaei emphasized that the immediate focus is on aiding the injured and rescuing those trapped. He also stated that any negligence by responsible parties would be addressed in due course.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly mining incidents in Iran. Last year, six miners were killed in a gas explosion in Damghan, and in 2017, a blast in Azad Shahr claimed the lives of 43 miners, sparking public outrage.
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