Dozens of miners trapped by explosion in Iran

At least 70 coal miners have been trapped after an explosion in northern Iran, according to local media reports.


The mine in Golestan province collapsed when trapped methane gas exploded as workers tried to jump-start a locomotive engine, according to reports.

"Forty workers are trapped in one part of the mine and another 30 to 40 are trapped in another part," the Fars and ISNA news agencies quoted the head of Iran's emergency services, Pir Hossein Kolivand, as saying.

Twelve injured miners were pulled out alive, he said.

A local official said the tunnels were filled with gas, making rescue work difficult.
  [rte.ie]
3/5/17
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