2024 Tabas coal mine explosion explained

Time:21:00
Timezone:IRST
Location:Tabas, South Khorasan Province, Iran
Coordinates:32.985°N 56.858°W
Type:Coal mine explosion
Cause:Methane
Reported Deaths:51
Reported Injuries:20

On September 21, 2024, an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Tabas, South Khorasan Province, Iran. The incident killed at least 51 people and injured 20 more.

Background

The Tabas Parvadeh 5 mine was owned and operated by Madanjoo Company.[1] It occupies a area with reserves of coal thought to be one of the largest in the country.[2] Eastern Iran accounts for 76 percent of the nation's coal production. The coal industry in the area is dominated by at least eight large corporations including Mandanjoo. Deaths from mining disasters in the country are commonly attributed to poor safety measurements and lack of emergency capabilities. In 2017, 42 people died in a similar explosion.[3]

Explosion

The mine, located in Tabas, some from Tehran, exploded at 21:00 local time while 69 workers were inside.[4] The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported 51 fatalities and 20 injured.[5] Twenty-two people were trapped in the mine.

The explosion occurred at a depth of .[6] According to IRNA, the explosion occurred after a methane gas leak. Twenty-eight people who evacuated the mine were hospitalized.[7]

All of the workers were either at blocks B or C of the mine during the explosion. During the initial rescue, large amounts of methane gas were discharged within both blocks. The emission rate was greater in Block B, where rescuers were unable to enter.[8] Forty-seven workers were in Block B and 22 were in Block C during the explosion.[9]

Response

President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed rescue and recovery efforts to assist the affected. Over 100 rescue personnel, including 40 specialized mine rescuers, were dispatched to the scene.[10] Thirteen ambulances also carried casualties to nearby medical facilities. Some survivors were airlifted from the mine.[11] Tabas city officials and the labor ministry said that the methane discharge at the mine hampered relief works.[12] Bodies of the dead were transferred away from the mine on carts.[13]

Pezeshkian said an inquiry into the explosion had opened.[14] The ministers of labor and industry, mining, and trade were ordered by the president to visit South Khorasan for the inquiry process.[15] On 24 September, Zahra Saeedi, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's committee on mining said that the mine's safety system was not working and that the central alarm system was either broken or non-existent.[16]

Reactions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: At least 51 people killed in Iran coalmine explosion . 2024-09-22 . The Guardian .
  2. Web site: 2024-09-22 . Dozens killed, 20 injured in coal mine blast in Iran . 2024-09-22 . France 24 . en.
  3. News: At least 51 killed in Iran after methane leak sparks coal mine blast . 22 September 2024 . Sky News . 22 September 2024.
  4. News: Elwelly . Elwely . At least 28 dead in Iran coal mine blast, state TV says . 22 September 2024 . Reuters . William Mallard. Tom Hogue . 22 September 2024.
  5. News: Death Toll From Iran Mine Blast Rises To 51: State Media . 22 September 2024 . Agence France-Presse . Barron's . 22 September 2024.
  6. News: فوتی‌های انفجار دردناک معدن طبس به 51 نفر رسید. The death toll of the painful Tabas mine explosion reached 51 people. fa . 22 September 2024 . Etemad . 22 September 2024.
  7. News: At least 30 killed in Iran coal mine blast: State media . 22 September 2024 . Al Jazeera . 22 September 2024.
  8. News: fa:در پی انفجار یک معدن ذغال سنگ در شهر طبس در استان خراسان جنوبی دست‌کم ۳۰ نفر جان خود را از دست داده و تعدادی از کارگران هم در داخل معدن گیر افتاده‌اند.. Following the explosion of a coal mine in Tabas city in South Khorasan province, at least 30 people lost their lives and some workers were trapped inside the mine . 22 September 2024 . Farsi Euronews . 22 September 2024.
  9. News: Mackintosh . Thomas . Explosion at Iran coal mine leaves dozens dead . 22 September 2024 . BBC News . 22 September 2024.
  10. News: fa:۳۰ فوتی و ۱۷ مصدوم آمار جدید انفجار معدن طبس/اعلام اسامی مصدومان. 30 dead and 17 injured, new statistics of the Tabas mine explosion/announcement of the names of the injured . fa. 22 September 2024 . Iranian Students' News Agency . 22 September 2024.
  11. News: Mine explosion in Tabas has left 30 dead and 24 injured. fa:انفجار معدن در طبس تاکنون۳۰ کشته و ۲۴ مصدوم برجای گذاشته است . 22 September 2024 . Iranian Students' News Agency . fa . 22 September 2024.
  12. News: ٣٠ کشتە در پی انفجار معدن زغال‌سنگ در طبس. 30 killed following the coal mine explosion in Tabas. fa . 22 September 2024 . DW News . 22 September 2024.
  13. News: Death toll from Iran mine blast rises to 51: state media . 22 September 2024 . Agence France-Presse . Gulf News . 22 September 2024.
  14. News: Death toll rises to 30 after methane leak causes explosion at eastern Iran coal mine, state TV says . 22 September 2024 . Associated Press . 22 September 2024.
  15. News: انفجار در معدن معدنجوی طبس/ ۲۸ فوتی، ۱۷ مجروح و ۲۴ مفقود تاکنون. Explosion in Tabas mine, 28 died, 17 injured and 24 missing so far . 22 September 2024 . Shargh . fa . 22 September 2024.
  16. News: Iran believes all remaining workers have died in coal mine explosion, raising death toll to 49 . 25 September 2024 . Associated Press . 24 September 2024.
  17. Web site: Leader's message of condolence following the tragic event in the Tabas Mine . english.khamenei.ir.

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