35 dead in Iran coal mine blast

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

TEHRAN (AA) - An explosion at a coal mine in northern Iran killed at least 35 people on Wednesday, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA).

The explosion occurred outside the town of Azadshahr in Golestan province in the Zemestan Yurt mine, ILNA said.

"Unfortunately, all miners trapped in the wreckage lost their lives," Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Ali Rabiei told the press.

Shahin Fathi, Head of the Iran Red Crescent Search and Rescue Unit, said more than 40 miners had been trapped and six of them were rescued with injuries.

Rescue operations continue.