Dozens killed, 20 injured in coal mine blast in Iran

NEWS WIRES

22 September 2024 at 5:19 am·2-min read

A gas leak triggering an explosion at a coal mine in Iran killed more than 50 workers and injured 20 others, state media reported Sunday. The Red Crescent said search and rescue operations are underway to retrieve workers still trapped beneath the rubble at some 250 metres below the surface.

A blast caused by a gas leak at a coal mine has killed at least 51 people, state media said Sunday, in one of Iran's deadliest work accidents in years.

"The number of dead workers increased to 51" in the explosion at the Tabas mine in eastern Iran, the official IRNA news agency reported, revising an earlier death toll of 30.

It said 20 more were injured.

The explosion occurred at around 9:00 pm (1730 GMT) on Saturday, when around 70 workers were present at the site in South Khorasan province, IRNA said.

IRNA said a methane leak led to the blast in two blocks of the mine, owned by private Iranian firm Madanjoo.

State TV broadcast footage of ambulances and helicopters arriving at Tabas.

Online footage carried by IRNA showed bodies of some of the victims, wearing their work clothes, being brought out of the mine.

South Khorasan governor Javad Ghenaat told state TV rescue teams were working to recover the remaining bodies.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences at the "sad accident" and also urged the authorities to do everything they could to save those trapped.

Iran's Red Crescent said search and rescue operations were underway in the mine, where some workers remained trapped.

(AFP)

Australian Associated Press
Adelaide take down Kings, extend NBL win streak
Dejan Vasiljevic's three-point shooting and Montrezl Harrell's inside power have led the Adelaide 36ers to an upset 10-point win over the Sydney Kings.
Australian Associated Press
Fritz beats Goffin to reach Shanghai semis
Taylor Fritz has advanced to his fifth Masters semi-final with a routine 6-3 6-4 win over David Goffin of Belgium at the Shanghai Masters
Australian Associated Press
Essendon grind out win to go seventh in AFLW
Essendon have jumped two places to seventh on the AFLW ladder with a 23-point win over a Western Bulldogs side who set a couple of unwanted scoring records.
Australian Associated Press
China's actions 'dangerous' in disputed sea: Blinken
The US has delivered a firm message to Beijing at the ASEAN summit over its "increasingly dangerous and unlawful" actions in the South China Sea.
Australian Associated Press
Minjee Lee makes her move at LPGA event in China
Aussie Minjee Lee trails South Korea's Sei Young Kim by two strokes at the halfway mark of the LPGA Tour's tournament in Shanghai.
Australian Associated Press
Marsh falls shy of century as WA-Bulls fight out a draw
WA allrounder Mitch Marsh has been dismissed for 94 in his team's Sheffield Shield draw with Queensland at the WACA Ground.
Australian Associated Press
Not Miles apart: premier hopeful of election comeback
Queensland's premier has started his re-election campaign on the right track but in an interview, he has conceded his party remains a long way behind.
Australian Associated Press
Clean energy focus at summit after trade breakthrough
After leaving a meeting with China's second-in-command with a big victory, Anthony Albanese is turning his focus to the transition to net-zero emissions.
Australian Associated Press
Gauff beats Linette in Wuhan for 50th win of 2024
American Coco Gauff and China's Wang Xinyu are the first players to book their spots in the Wuhan Open semi-finals.
Australian Associated Press
England record stunning first Test win in Pakistan
After hosts Pakistan put up 556 in their first innings, England have scored a remarkable win in the first Test of the series on the fifth morning in Multan.
Australian Associated Press
Alleged crime app mastermind hit with drug charges
The accused creator of a secret app allegedly used by major criminal networks across the world to plot murders now faces serious drug trafficking charges.
Australian Associated Press
Woman's arm severed after mauling by her own dog
Police have been hailed for their quick thinking after applying a tourniquet on a woman with a severed arm from a dog attack, a move that likely saved her life.
Australian Associated Press
Carey 'very excited' for India after blasting century
Alex Carey has hit the ground running this summer, belting a century in the second innings of South Australia's Sheffield Shield draw with NSW.
Australian Associated Press
Grove star Payne claims Bathurst 1000 provisional pole
Emerging Supercars star Matt Payne has claimed provisional pole for the Bathurst 1000, going full-throttle to blaze the grid by six thousandths of a second.
Australian Associated Press
Hawks, Blues shake up AFL trade period with picks swap
Hawthorn have sent their No.14 draft pick to Carlton in a deal that has significant implications for the AFL trade period, with several players in limbo.
Australian Associated Press
Ex-cop sought explicit pics from teen girls via 'sexts'
A former police officer who chatted with two teenage girls on social media seeking sexually explicit images and video wants to avoid jail for his crimes.
Australian Associated Press
Restaurateur apologises for offensive anti-Israel sign
A remorseful restaurateur says his Jewish friends know he is not anti-Semitic despite displaying a Nazi symbol at a pro-Palestinian protest.
Australian Associated Press
Harris rips Trump for his criticism of storm response
Kamala Harris has slammed Donald Trump with playing politics with the US hurricane response after President Joe Biden told him to "get a life" over his attacks.
Australian Associated Press
Greens plan to end menopause treatment horror stories
The Greens want millions of dollars funnelled into ensuring health professionals better understand menopause and making its treatment more affordable.
Australian Associated Press
'Efficiency' required for tech-based DV policing move
People accused of serious domestic violence will either be behind bars or electronically monitored and NSW leaders believe the police force can handle the job.

Latest stories