DUBAI: A gas explosion at a coal mine in Iran's South Khorasan province has killed at least 28 people and injured 17, state television reported on Sunday, while 24 people remain missing.
The accident was caused by a methane gas explosion in two blocks of the mine operated by the Madanjoo company, state television reported. There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion, it added.
“Seventeen injured people were taken to hospital and 24 people are still missing,” state television quoted the head of Iran's Red Crescent as saying.
The explosion occurred at 9 p.m. (1730 GMT) on Saturday, state media reported.
President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “I have spoken with the ministers and we will do everything possible to follow up on the situation,” Pezeshkian said in televised remarks.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more details.
