Deadly Coal Mine Explosion in Eastern Iran Claims at Least 34 Lives

An explosion at a coal mine in Tabas, eastern Iran, killed at least 34 workers and injured 17 others. The blast, one of the worst mining disasters in Iran's history, occurred on Saturday night. Rescue efforts continue as some miners remain trapped, with ongoing concerns about safety practices.

An explosion in a coal mine in eastern Iran killed at least 34 workers and injured 17 others, officials confirmed on Sunday. This marks one of the worst mining disasters in the country's history as several miners remain missing hours after the incident.

The blast occurred Saturday night at a coal mine in Tabas, roughly 540 km southeast of Tehran. On Sunday, visibly emotional miners stood by as mine cars brought up the bodies of their colleagues, all covered in coal dust. Around 70 individuals had been working at the time of the blast.

A provincial emergency official reported that the death toll had reached at least 34 as rescue workers continued their efforts. Survivors recounted chaotic scenes following the blast, attributed to a methane gas leak. The mine's safety procedures remain unclear, and President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an investigation.