35 Killed, Over 80 More Trapped in Coal Mine Incident in Northeastern Iran
Fars News – At least 35 miners have lost their lives and scores of others been injured in a coal mine explosion in the Northeastern Iranian province of Golestan, while more than 80 others are still trapped one mile deep into the ground.
Deputy Governor of Azadshahr said aid workers are at the site of the blast in Zemestanyurt coal mine. According to reports the blast was highly serious. Rescue squads have rushed to the site of the incident.
Iran’s Labor Minister confirmed that the number of casualties now stands at 35, including 21 who were outside and rushed to help the trapped miners through a tunnel that collapsed. Neither officials commented the cause of the explosion. Yet, later reports said gas leak caused the incident.
Some 81 miners are trapped at a depth of 1800 meters, while aid workers are pumping air down to keep them alive. Meanwhile, one of the officials at the Azadshahr coal mine told that there are concerns over the health conditions of the miners as the explosion happened at the time of changing the shifts.
Over 500 miners work at Azadshahr coal mine, 14 km away from Azadshahr city 90 km east of Gorgan, the capital city of Golestan Province.
