September 22nd 2024.
Last night, a tragic event occurred in the town of Tabas, located about 335 miles southeast of the capital city, Tehran. A coal mine explosion claimed the lives of 33 individuals, leaving 17 others injured. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning for those who lost their lives.
Reports say that around 70 people were working in the area at the time of the blast. Unfortunately, 17 miners are still trapped inside the mine, which exploded after a methane leak. According to state television, the trapped miners are believed to be at a depth of 2,300 feet. Rescue teams are currently working tirelessly to reach them and bring them to safety.
In the aftermath of the explosion, miners were seen standing alongside mine cars covered in coal dust, bringing up the bodies of their colleagues. The mine is owned by the privately-owned Mandanjoo Co., and it is currently unclear what safety procedures were in place before the blast occurred.
Emergency services were also called to the scene to assist with the rescue efforts. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered all possible efforts to be made to rescue those trapped and assist their families. He also confirmed that an investigation into the explosion has been launched.
Iran is a country that annually consumes around 3.5 million tonnes of coal, but only 1.8 million tonnes are extracted from its mines each year. The remaining coal is imported, mainly for use in the country's steel mills. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Iran's mining industry has been struck by disaster. In 2013, 11 workers lost their lives in two separate incidents, and in 2009 and 2017, multiple incidents claimed the lives of 20 and 42 miners, respectively.
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