Deaths and Poisoning of Several Workers in Repeated Incidents at Shazand Refinery

According to reports from Iran, following the release of toxic gas in 'several instances' at the Shazand refinery, three workers have died and a group has been hospitalized due to poisoning. The Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, has reported the latest death toll from the gas leak at this refinery as three, citing the brother of one of the deceased who stated that three other workers are in a coma. ILNA reports that at least three incidents have occurred at this refinery, all related to the release and poisoning from inhaling gas. In the first incident on the 27th of Ordibehesht (7th of May), three workers named Mahmoud Molaei, Dehghani, and Ebrahimi lost consciousness while working on top of one of the refinery's towers due to inhaling hydrogen sulfide gas. Mr. Molaei's brother told ILNA that the refinery's own firefighters, who had come to help, also lost consciousness on the tower because they did not have basic equipment such as oxygen tanks. Ultimately, all five were transferred to the hospital. On the 15th of Ordibehesht, IRNA reported the death of the second gas-poisoned worker due to 'poisoning with hydrogen sulfide gas and extensive damage to internal body tissues, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.' This news agency referred to all five injured as 'workers.' On the 16th of Ordibehesht, ILNA finally announced the death toll as three. According to IRNA, two others have recovered. Mahmoud Molaei's brother mentioned to ILNA that after the gas release on the 7th of Ordibehesht, a similar incident occurred that same night, sending eight workers to the hospital. A third incident also reportedly occurred on the 15th of Ordibehesht, with eight workers poisoned, of whom 'three of the injured workers are in a coma, but the condition of the other five is better.' Officials at the Shazand refinery have confirmed the third incident. Abbas Soleimani, the public relations manager of the Shazand refinery, stated that 'the injured in this incident (15th of Ordibehesht) are contractor workers of the refinery who suffered poisoning with nitrogen gas while unloading catalyst from the reactor.' IRNA reports that the head of the Central Province's governorate has assigned a special committee to investigate these incidents. However, this government official, contrary to Mr. Molaei's brother, referred to only two incidents. He stated that 'the sequence and recurrence of the incident have made it necessary to investigate the causes and problems in this area.' The Imam Khomeini Shazand refinery is located in Central Province. This refinery began operations over 20 years ago as the largest single-unit refinery in Iran. All three deceased workers were contractors.