IRNA – Rescue workers have retrieved bodies of seven more miners trapped under the rubble caused by a deadly explosion on Wednesday (May 3) in a coal mine in Azadshahr, an Iranian northern city.


An official affiliated with the Crisis Management Department of Golestan Province told IRNA on Monday night that with the new bodies retrieved, death toll of the Zemestanyurt coal mine blast in Azadshahr has reached 42.

Reza Morovati said the rubble removal operation is still underway to pull out other dead bodies.

Yesterday (May 8), the rescuers retrieved bodies of 13 miners trapped under the rubble and the bodies were transferred to the local Coroner's Office affiliated to Iran Legal Medicine Organization for identification.

Earlier reports suggested that 73 people were also injured in the accident some of whom were taken after on the spot and others were sent to the hospital.

Zemestanyurt coal mine in Azadshahr region is situated 90 km east of the provincial capital city of Gorgan.

Provincial officials announced three days of mourning for the victims following the incident.