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4 May 2017 - 18:19

The latest reports on the huge explosion which occurred Wednesday in a coal mine in northeastern part of Iran confirmed that 21 have been killed so far.

Director general of the crisis management office in Golestan province told IRNA here that the number of the dead may rise.

However, the efforts have been made to inject oxygen to Azadshahr coal mine in order to increase the chance of survival for the people being trapped in the mine, Sadeq-Ali Moqaddam said.

About 35 people may have been caught up either dead or alive in the mine after the major explosion, Moqaddam added.

According to the reports, the blast in Zemestanyurt coal mine, 90 km east of the provincial capital city of Gorgan, has been highly serious.

About 70 people have been killed, wounded and trapped in the incident.

The provincial officials announced a day of mourning here on the sad event.

First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri underlined Wednesday the necessity for imminent rescue operation for the blast-stricken workers.

Also, two cabinet members arrived here late on Wednesday after President Hassan Rouhani’s order to examine the event.

Over 500 miners work at Azadshahr coal mine, 14 km of Azadshahr city which is situated 90 km east of Gorgan, the capital city of Golestan Province.

News ID 188353