“Only one day has passed since the Iranian nation paid their respect to all active in the field of labor and production when the tragic incident of the loss and injury of a number of hardworking miners in Azadshahr mine in Golestan province occurred and plunged the whole nation in grief and mourning,” President Rouhani said in a message.
The blast occurred at 12:45 p.m. local time in Zemestanyurt coal mine in northern Iran on Wednesday which killed at least 35 workers and injured scores of others. The mine has 500 workers and the explosion happened during a change of shift. So far, bodies of 21 workers have been recovered.
“I have tasked First Vice President with the mission to take all necessary measures for alleviating the pain of the affected families and investigate the various aspects of casualties and collateral damage,” he said, adding a delegation comprising ministers of Labor and Welfare, as well as Industry, Mine and Trade has been sent to the site in order to oversee the rescue operations and treatment of victims.
President Rouhani also noted that necessary orders have been issued to Ministry of Interior, Governor of Golestan, Ministry of Health, Red Crescent and other relevant bodies to accelerate the process of disaster relief and rescue of trapped miners.
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has also been tasked with the mission to investigate the aspects of the tragic incident.
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