21 killed in coal mine blast in northern Iran

TEHRAN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 miners were killed and scores injured in a coal mine explosion in the northern Iranian province of Golestan on Wednesday, state TV reported.

Some 35 miner were trapped in the mine following the explosion, the Chief of Crisis Management of Golestan province, Sadegali Mogaddam told the state IRINN TV.

So far, the dead body of 21 miners have been recovered by the rescue operators, Mogaddam was quoted as saying.

Earlier reports said that some 50 miners were also injured in the accident.