Five Iranian coal miners died in a pit explosion in the northern Caspian Sea province of Mazandaran on Saturday, an official told state television. "Because of gas accumulating, there was an explosion that collapsed the tunnel. Unfortunately five workers were killed and three injured," said Taqi Derakhshandeh, district governor.
This is the latest in a string of coal mine blasts in Mazandaran, all caused by a build-up of gas. Seven men were killed in August and four died in 2001.