Uncertain Fate of 6 Trapped Workers in 'Tarzeh' Mine in Damghan; Workers Die Silently in Iran

The Semnan Governorate reported an explosion at the 'Tarzeh' mine in Damghan on Sunday night. As of the time of this report, search and rescue operations are ongoing. Simultaneously, an internal media outlet reported that according to unofficial statistics, six workers die silently every day due to workplace accidents in Iran, while official statistics cite two deaths. Domestic news agencies reported in the early hours of the incident that the explosion and collapse of one of the Tarzeh mines in Damghan resulted in at least six casualties and injuries, and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene. The government news agency 'ISNA' reported at 1:45 AM that the status of the six Tarzeh mine workers is 'unknown,' noting that rescuers have not yet succeeded in reopening the mine's entrance, and until it is reopened, no comments can be made about their physical condition. Meanwhile, the newspaper 'Payam Ma' quoted official Ministry of Labor statistics stating that 'in the year 1401 (2022), over 700 people died due to workplace accidents, which means that two workers lose their lives every working day, but unofficial statistics confirm that six workers die daily due to workplace accidents.' According to this newspaper, results from a study conducted in 1401 indicate that over 80% of workplace accidents are due to negligence and non-compliance with regulations. 'Safety first, then work' is nothing more than a phrase on a sign. The priority is always work, and neglecting safety has been claiming workers' lives for years. Meanwhile, the 'International Social Security Organization' emphasizes that over 90% of workplace accidents are preventable. On May 1, 1402 (April 21, 2023), the Deputy of Medical and Laboratory Affairs of the Legal Medicine Organization announced in an interview with the 'ILNA' news agency that the death toll from workplace accidents in 1401 was '1900 workers.' Masoud Ghadi Pasha, while announcing this statistic, reported a 1.3% decrease in workplace accident fatalities compared to the same period last year. According to this official, the death toll for 1400 was 1,926. Despite claims of a decrease in workplace accident fatalities by this official, it appears that these figures are higher than the average annual statistics from previous decades. Previously, based on statistics released by the Legal Medicine Organization, at least 15,997 people lost their lives in workplace accidents between 1387 and 1396 (2008-2017), of which 15,767 were men and 230 were women. An analysis of these statistics shows that on average, 1,600 people lost their lives annually due to workplace accidents during that ten-year period. In addition to fatalities, hundreds of workers in Iran are also injured in workplace-related incidents. According to a report by a human rights activist group in Iran, at least 3,576 workers were injured due to workplace accidents between International Workers' Day in 1401 and 1402. Iran ranks 102nd in the world regarding workplace safety compliance.