At least 19 killed as methane leak causes explosion at eastern Iran coal mine, state TV reports

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A methane leak has sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, killing at least 19 people and injuring another 17. That’s according to a report by Iranian state television on Sunday. Some miners are believed to be trapped inside. The report said the deaths happened at a coal mine in Tabas, some 335 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran. It said authorities were sending emergency personnel to the area. Around 70 people had been working there at the time of the blast, which happened late Saturday.