Deadly Explosion at Iranian Coal Mine Highlights Safety Concerns

A deadly explosion at a coal mine in Tabas, Iran, has resulted in 50 fatalities, including a recently deceased injured miner. The blast, caused by a methane gas leak, injured 17 miners and left 66 others unaccounted for. Iran's mining sector has faced similar tragedies due to poor safety standards.

A devastating explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran has claimed 50 lives, following the weekend blast and the subsequent death of an injured miner on Wednesday, as reported by Iranian state television.

The explosion, triggered by a methane gas leak, occurred on Saturday at the Tabas Parvadeh 5 mine in Tabas, approximately 540 kilometers southeast of Tehran. Despite modern safety protocols that mandate ventilation, it remains unclear what measures were in place at the privately owned mine, operated by Mandanjoo Co. The company has been unreachable for comment.

Of the 17 miners injured, nine were hospitalized, one of whom succumbed to injuries on Wednesday. The bodies of 49 workers killed in the explosion have been recovered, concluding the search operation. At the time of the blast, 66 miners were on duty. Iran's mining industry has a history of similar disasters, casting a shadow on safety standards and emergency response measures.

(With inputs from agencies.)