At least 30 people have been killed in a gas explosion at a mine in the Iranian city of Tabas in the eastern provinces of South Khorasan, Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) chief Pir-Hossein Kolivand, announced on Sunday. 

The accident was caused by a methane gas explosion two blocks from the mine on Saturday night, Mohammad Ali Akhondi, the director general of the provincial crisis management department, said on Sunday.

Around 30 mine workers suffocated from the rapid release of methane and carbon monoxide, with the death toll expected to increase, he added.

The official emphasized that speedy rescue operations are difficult to conduct due to the underground conditions, asserting "it is a difficult task to rescue the injured from a depth of 700 meters diagonally and 250 meters vertically underground.”

The mine belonged to the Iranian Maadanjo Company, where the blast affected 69 people who were working within the blocks.

President Pezeshkian orders an investigation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered a probe into the accident, according to Elias Hazrati, head of the administration’s Information Council.

"Unfortunately, we learned that an accident occurred in one of the coal mines in Tabas and a number of our compatriots lost their lives. I offer my condolences to their respected families," Pezeshkian said, offering his condolences.

Hazrati stated on Sunday that the ministers of industry and labor are headed to the site to conduct necessary meetings and take measures in the explosion's aftermath.