Casualties from the coal mine explosion in Iran’s South Khorasan Province soar to 51
TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (SABAH): The casualties from the coal mine explosion in Iran’s South Khorasan Province on Sunday soared to 51, state media reported revising the death toll, as some of the injured succumbed to their wounds.
Currently, there are 20 injured who are being treated at the medical facilities.
As per the reports, the accident was caused by a methane gas explosion in two blocks, B and C, of the mine run by the Madanjoo company.
“76% of the country’s coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including Madanjoo company,” the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV on Sunday.
The rescue operation in block B has been completed. Of the 47 workers, who were in the block, 30 died and 17 were injured, Rahimi said earlier.
Rescue operations in block C have started. Methane density in the block is high and the operation will take around 3-4 hours, he added.
There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion, state TV reported.
“Seventeen injured people were transported to the hospital and 24 people are still missing,” it said earlier on Sunday citing the head of Iran’s Red Crescent.
The explosion occurred at 9pm (1730 GMT) on Saturday, state media said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in his remarks carried state TV before departing for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, offered his condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a probe into the deadly incident. “Unfortunately, we learned that an accident occurred in one of the coal mines in Tabas and a number of our compatriots lost their lives. I offer my condolences to their respected families,” Pezeshkian said.
His first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, spoke with cabinet members to ensure “emergency follow-up” and support for the victims and their families, the official Iranian news agency “IRNA” said.
Meanwhile reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the mine explosion.
He offered his heartfelt condolence to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Iranian people on the loss of precious lives and injuries in the coal mine explosion.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Pakistan stands with its Iranian brethren during this time,” the prime minister wrote on his official X timeline.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
“Tehran is engaged in robust and immediate relief efforts. We stand with great people of Iran,” he wrote on his official X account.