Authorities were sending emergency personnel to the area after the blast late Saturday, it said. Around 70 people had been working there at the time of the blast. State TV later said 24 people were believed to be trapped inside.

Twenty-four people are still missing following the gas explosion.

A suspected explosion has killed at least 28 people at a coal mine in Iran, according to the state broadcaster. Several others are believed to be trapped inside.

A methane leak sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens, Iranian state television reported on Sunday.

A methane leak sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens of others, state media reported.

A methane leak sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, killing at least 19 people and injuring another 17, Iranian state television reported on Sunday.