Deaths in Iran coal mine blast surge past 51

TEHRAN: The death toll from coal mine explosion in Iran's South Khorasan Province climbed to 51, the state media reported on Sunday. 

The state TV revised the tally twice through the day from 19 to 30 and then 51, as as some of the injured succumbed to their wounds. 

Meanwhile, 20 miners were left injured by the deadly blast, which reportedly was methane a gas explosion in two blocks, B and C, of the mine run by the Madanjoo company.

"76% of the country's coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including Madanjoo company," the governor of South Khorasan Province Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV on Sunday.

The rescue operation in block B has been completed. Of the 47 workers, who were in the block, 30 died and 17 were injured, Rahimi said earlier.

Rescue operations in block C have started. Methane density in the block is high and the operation will take around 3-4 hours, he added.

There were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion, state TV reported.

"Seventeen injured people were transported to the hospital and 24 people are still missing," it said earlier on Sunday citing the head of Iran's Red Crescent.

The explosion occurred at 9pm (1730 GMT) on Saturday, state media said.

President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims' families. "I spoke with ministers and we will do our best to follow up," Pezeshkian said in televised comments.

Pakistani envoy to Iran offers condolence

Reacting to the incident, Pakistan's Ambassador to Iran expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

"Tehran is engaged in robust and immediate relief efforts. We stand with great people of Iran," he wrote on his official X account.