Iran mine explosion death toll climbs to 30, rescue efforts hampered by gas
The explosion occurred late Saturday night due to the sudden release of methane gas and carbon monoxide in two blocks of the mine, leading to suffocation among the miners.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The death toll from a devastating gas explosion in a coal mine in Tabas, southern Iran, has risen to 30, with 17 injured, as rescue efforts continue to be hampered by the high concentration of gas within the tunnels.
The explosion occurred late Saturday night due to the sudden release of methane gas and carbon monoxide in two blocks of the mine, leading to suffocation among the miners.
The interconnectedness of the workshops for power supply and other facilities allowed the gas to spread rapidly, complicating rescue operations.
The explosion in two blocks of the mine has resulted in dozens of additional injuries, according to South Khorasan Crisis Director General Mohammad Ali Akhundi. Some of the injured were reportedly suffering from gas poisoning.
At the time of the accident, 69 workers were present in the mine. As of now, 30 have been confirmed dead, 17 injured, and 33 remain trapped. Eight specialized rescue teams are currently working at the site.
Rescue efforts are currently underway, with 40 expert rescue team members working to save 33 miners trapped in the tunnels. However, the rescue operation is facing challenges due to the high concentration of gas within the mine.
Despite efforts to expedite rescue operations, the process is also proving difficult due to the depth of the mine (700 meters diagonally and 250 meters vertically underground). Some rescuers have already been injured due to the hazardous conditions.
The Tabas coal mine, located northwest of Birjand, the capital of South Khorasan province, is a significant source of coal in Iran, with vast reserves estimated at 75.2 billion tons.