A catastrophic explosion at the Madanjoo coal mine in eastern Iran has resulted in the deaths of at least 51 miners and left over 20 others injured, as confirmed by state media on Sunday. This tragic incident unfolded in South Khorasan province, approximately 540 kilometers (335 miles) southeast of Tehran.
The explosion, which occurred at approximately 21:00 local time (17:30 GMT) on Saturday, has been attributed to a methane gas leak within the mine. Javad Ghenaatzadeh, the governor of South Khorasan, revealed that there were 69 workers present in the affected sections at the time of the blast, with 22 in Block C and 47 in Block B.
Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing, but the situation remains precarious, as rescuers grapple with gas accumulation complicating their efforts. There is still uncertainty regarding how many individuals may be trapped inside the mine. Initial reports indicated 30 fatalities, but the number has since risen to 51, according to the official IRNA news agency. Additionally, 24 miners are reported missing.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly expressed condolences to the families of the victims and committed to ensuring that the government closely monitors the aftermath of the disaster. “We will do our best to follow up on this situation,” he stated during a televised address.
The Madanjoo mine is known for its rich deposits of coking and thermal coal, covering an area of over 30,000 square kilometers (nearly 11,600 square miles). It is considered one of the largest coal reserves in Iran, and the explosion has raised serious concerns about safety standards in the mining industry.
Local prosecutor Ali Nesaei emphasized that the priority remains on rescuing those trapped and providing aid to the injured. He indicated that an investigation into the negligence of responsible parties will follow. “Gas accumulation in the mine has made search operations difficult, but we are focused on the immediate need to assist those affected,” he said.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern in Iran’s mining sector. Last year, a similar explosion in a coal mine in Damghan led to six deaths, while two miners were killed in a collapse at the same site in May 2021. A previous disaster in 2017 claimed the lives of 43 miners in Azad Shahr, which incited public outrage and calls for stricter regulations and oversight.
As the situation develops, the Iranian government faces increasing pressure to address safety issues in the mining industry and prevent future tragedies. Further updates on the rescue operations and government responses are anticipated as authorities continue their efforts to manage this disaster.
