Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

Fatal Incident in Damghan Coal Mine; 7 Workers Lost Their Lives

Jan 23, 2026 January 23, 2026 3 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

A toxic gas leak in a coal mine in Mehmanduyeh village, Damghan, resulted in the deaths of 7 workers, including 4 Iranians and 3 Afghans. The mine, which reportedly lacked official activity, is under investigation, with initial reports attributing the incident to human error and miscalculation. This tragedy highlights ongoing safety issues in Iran's mining sector.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The tragic deaths of seven miners in a toxic gas leak reveal critical safety failures in Iran's mining operations.

👥 Key Players

Farajollah Iliat MENTIONED
Deputy of Urban Development of Semnan Province
"Responsible for overseeing mining operations and safety regulations in the region."
Minister of Interior MENTIONED
Government official
"Involved in emergency response and regulatory oversight of mining safety."
Eastern Alborz Company MENTIONED
Operator of the Mehmanduyeh coal mine
"Private sector entity responsible for mine operations and safety protocols."

📰 What Happened

A toxic gas leak in the Mehmanduyeh coal mine in Damghan resulted in the deaths of seven workers, including four Iranians and three Afghan nationals. The incident is attributed to human error and miscalculations regarding safety protocols.

  • The mine was approximately 40 meters long and 20 meters deep.
  • This incident follows a previous mining disaster in Tabas that killed 52 people.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This incident underscores the persistent safety issues in Iran's mining sector, raising concerns about worker protection and regulatory enforcement.
🌍 Regional: It highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers, particularly Afghan nationals, in hazardous jobs.
🌐 International: International observers may question Iran's labor practices and safety regulations in the mining industry.

📚 Background

Iran's mining sector has a history of safety violations and accidents, often leading to loss of life. The country has numerous mines, but many operate under poor safety standards.

Labor rights in Iran Mining safety regulations
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article is sourced from a state-affiliated news agency, which may present the government's perspective on mining safety and incident management.

Following the release of toxic gas in the coal mine of Mehmanduyeh village in the Damghan county, 7 workers lost their lives on Tuesday afternoon. This coal mine, located in Mehmanduyeh village, is approximately 40 meters long and 20 meters deep. According to the Student News Agency, the victims of this incident included 4 Iranian workers and 3 Afghan nationals who died due to gas poisoning at the depth of the mine. The Deputy of Urban Development of Semnan Province announced the names of the deceased as Morteza Shakari, Ahmad Shakari, Mehdi Gilaki, and Hani Gilaki (35 years old), adding that the other three victims were Talhossin Ebrahimi (20 years old), Mojtaba Akbari (25 years old), and Ali Ebrahimi (25 years old), who were foreign nationals. Farajollah Iliat, the Deputy of Urban Development of Semnan Province, explained on Tuesday evening that none of the miners showed signs of life and they died due to the accumulation of gas at the moment. He stated that the tunnel was 40 meters long and added: 'The great depth to the site of the incident and the accumulation of toxic and dangerous gas brought the possibility of their survival to zero.' The Deputy of Urban Development of Semnan Province emphasized that the bodies of the seven deceased have been removed from the mine, stating: 'With the removal of the last body, the operation has concluded.' The financial situation of the injured in the Tabas mine incident is 'critical.' According to domestic media, it is reported that this mine did not have official activity and its status is under investigation. However, the governor of Semnan stated that the Mehmanduyeh mine in Damghan has a license and is operated by the private sector, saying: 'Human error and miscalculation were reported as the initial cause of the incident and the death of seven people in the abandoned tunnel inside this mine.' Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, in a phone conversation with the governor of Semnan, emphasized the need for immediate rescue efforts and care for potential injured individuals. He did not provide any explanation regarding the operational status of this mine. The Mehmanduyeh coal mine is one of the mines affiliated with the Eastern Alborz Company. This village is located 35 kilometers northeast of Damghan in Semnan Province, which is considered one of the mineral hubs of the country, possessing 42 types of minerals and confirmed reserves of about 600 million tons. Miners in Iran have been facing various incidents in non-standard mines for years, sometimes losing their lives. Meanwhile, after the deadly collapse of the Madanjou coal mine in Tabas on September 21 last year, which claimed the lives of 52 people and severely injured 22 workers, mining activities returned to normal, but the injured workers from that incident are going through difficult times.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →