Zemestanyurt Mine Explosion Leaves Dozens Dead

Dozens are feared dead after a huge explosion at Zemestanyurt mine on Wednesday, May 3. Iranian state media reported that 35 people had died, and 50 injured people have been pulled out of the mine. 

The blast happened at 12:45pm, at a time when workers were changing shifts. Several officials blamed the explosion on accumulated gas and said it was hampering rescue efforts. Rescue workers arrived on the scene and have cleared close to 2,000 feet of tunnel leading to the mine. 

Hamidreza Montazeri, deputy head of emergency services in Golestan province in northern Iran, said that 25 people who had entered the mine to help the trapped miners had been taken to hospital due to gas inhalation.

Tasnim and Mehr News Agencies