A mine in the city of Tebes in the South Khorasan province of Iran, which supplies three-quarters of the country’s coal needs, exploded as a result of methane gas being trapped. Thirty of the 47 workers working in one of the blocks in the mine lost their lives and 17 workers were injured.

“The explosion occurred in the B and C blocks of the coal mine. A total of 69 workers were working in the two blocks. There is currently a heavy accumulation of gas in Block C and our teams are working to evacuate this gas. Once the gas is completely evacuated, we will continue rescue efforts for the 22 workers inside,” said Javad Genaat, the Governor of South Khorasan.