Seven Iranian miners tragically killed in carbon monoxide poisoning incident

Seven miners have tragically lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning in a coal mine located in Damghan, northeastern Iran, local officials reported.

The incident, which has raised significant concern, occurred earlier this week, but specific details regarding the circumstances of the tragedy or the victims’ identities have yet to be disclosed, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Mining accidents, especially those involving toxic gas exposure, remain an ongoing and tragic issue in Iran. The Damghan disaster adds to the country's long history of mining-related fatalities, with safety standards often questioned in light of previous incidents.

One of the most devastating mining accidents in recent history occurred on September 22 of last year, when a methane gas explosion claimed the lives of 50 miners and left 16 others injured in a coal mine in Tabas, eastern Iran. Prior to that explosion, workers had reportedly warned the mine’s management about the strong presence of gas in the tunnels. However, despite these warnings, operations continued as normal, leading to the deadly blast. At the time of the explosion, 66 miners were working around 600 meters underground.

This incident in Tabas is part of a broader pattern of mining tragedies in the country, with at least four other coal mining accidents reported earlier that year. These repeated fatalities have raised serious concerns about the safety and oversight of Iran’s mining sector, with calls for better regulations and preventive measures to protect workers from such deadly hazards.

As authorities investigate the cause of the recent carbon monoxide poisoning in Damghan, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks faced by miners in the region and the need for stronger safety protocols to prevent further loss of life.

By Vafa Guliyeva