An explosion caused by a gas leak at a coal mine in eastern Iran has killed at least 51 people, state media said on Sunday.
More than 20 others were injured after the blast in South Khorasan province.
It is reported to have been caused by a methane gas explosion in two blocks of the mine in Tabas, 540 km (335 miles) southeast of the capital Tehran.
The explosion occurred at 21:00 local time (17:30 GMT) on Saturday, state media said.
South Khorasan's governor Javad Ghenaatzadeh said there were 69 workers in the blocks at the time of the explosion.
According to the AP news agency, he said: "There was an explosion and unfortunately 69 people were working in the B and C blocks of Madanjoo mine.
"In block C there were 22 people and in block B there were 47 people."
It remains unclear how many people are still alive and trapped inside the mine.
State media has now revised its earlier toll of 30 dead.
"The number of dead workers increased to 51 and the number of injured increased to 20," the official IRNA news agency reported.
Citing the head of Iran's Red Crescent, state TV said earlier on Sunday that 24 people were missing.
According to Reuters news agency, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the victims' families.
"I spoke with ministers and we will do our best to follow up," Pezeshkian said in televised comments.
Latest Stories
-
Contestants of Joy Prime’s Big Chef Tertiary Season 2 unveiled
1 hour -
Democracy Hub protestors are disturbing peace, obstructing traffic flow – Police
1 hour -
I stake bet every day; lotto, multiple piercings not sinful – Brother Sammy
2 hours -
Scores of people arrested as scuffle ensues between Democracy Hub protesters and police
2 hours -
Election 2024: NDC’s 8th position on ballot is God-given – Kofi Adams
3 hours -
Election 2024: ‘8 is excellent; choose it’- Bagbin to Ghanaians
3 hours -
Youth charged to use digital skills to drive climate action
3 hours -
Speaker Bagbin bemoans high attrition rate of MPs
3 hours -
Salam Mustapha slams protesters for burning NPP flags; describes it as provocation
3 hours -
PHOTOS: Gory accident involving VIP bus claims 7 lives, injures 31
3 hours -
Four dead and dozens hurt in Alabama mass shooting
4 hours -
Israel orders 45-day closure of Al Jazeera West Bank office
4 hours -
Sri Lanka election goes to historic second count
4 hours -
At least 51 dead in Iran coal mine explosion
4 hours -
MrBeast is called the internet’s nicest man – now he faces 54-page lawsuit
4 hours