Death Toll Rises to 32 in Eastern Iran Coal Mine Explosion

A methane leak ignited a devastating explosion at a coal mine in Tabas, eastern Iran, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and injuring 17 others, as reported by Iranian state media on Sunday. Authorities are currently working to rescue 18 miners believed to be trapped 700 meters underground.
The explosion occurred late Saturday while approximately 70 workers were on-site. Emergency personnel have been dispatched to the location to assist in rescue operations and support the affected families.
Iran’s new reformist President, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is preparing for the U.N. General Assembly in New York, has called for all necessary efforts to be made for the rescue and announced that an investigation into the incident has begun.
Iran, a country rich in minerals, consumes about 3.5 million tons of coal annually but only extracts around 1.8 million tons domestically, relying on imports to meet demand, particularly for its steel mills.
The Iranian mining industry has a troubling history of safety issues. Past incidents include the deaths of 11 workers in 2013, 20 in 2009, and a catastrophic explosion in 2017 that claimed at least 42 lives. Lax safety standards and inadequate emergency response systems are frequently cited as contributing factors to these tragedies.