Prosecutor Promises Justice in Mine Collapse Case

The contractor of Zemestanyurt coal mine in the northern Golestan Province, which collapsed following a large explosion leading to the death of 22 miners on May 3, has been summoned to the court, announced the provincial chief prosecutor. Thirteen miners are still trapped in the coal mine, according to local news outlets. “Circumstances and evidence indicate that the remaining people are dead,” said Labor Minister Ali Rabiei, and Head of Emergency Services Pirhossein Kolivand in separate interviews. Assuring the families of the victims of the tragic incident, Hadi Hashemian said, “Those responsible for the tragedy will be prosecuted at the earliest.” Sadegh Ali Moghadam, the provincial director of disaster management, said operations continue to rescue the trapped miners. More than 80 people were injured in the large explosion at the mine located 14 km from Azadshahr in the province.