In South Khorasan Province, Iran, an unfortunate gas explosion in a coal mine sadly claimed at least 51 lives and left 20 victims injured, as reported by Iran’s state-run media on a recent Sunday. The devastating incident was a consequence of a methane gas explosion within sectors B and C of the mine, which is operated by the Madanjoo company.
Ali Akbar Rahimi, the governor of South Khorasan Province, made remarks during a state TV broadcast detailing that the regional coal supply comprises 76% of the country’s total supply, with eight to ten major firms including Madanjoo company working in this region.
The recovery mission in section B was accomplished earlier, with tragic results of 30 fatalities and 17 injuries among the 47 mining personnel present. Current rescue efforts in section C have been launched, although are hampered by an elevated methane concentration, making it a hazardous operation predicted to span between three and four hours.
Of the 69 miners working during the inferno, Iranian state TV confirmed a total of 17 injured survivors were safely transported to medical facilities, however, 24 workers remain unaccounted for according to an announcement by the head of Iran’s Red Crescent on the same Sunday.
The explosion emerged at 9pm local time (5.30pm GMT) on the preceding Saturday. The Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, expressed his sincere sympathy to the grieving families of the victims. In addition, Pezeshkian vowed to ensure significant action is taken in a televised speech declaring, “I held consultations with ministers and we will make all necessary progress”.
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