Rescue workers carry the body of a coal miner after he was pulled out from a mine in Azadshahr, in northern Iran, following an explosion leaving dozens of miners trapped on May 4, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

TEHRAN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Death toll in a coal mine explosion in the northern Iranian province of Golestan rose to 42 as rescue teams retrieved seven more bodies in the early hours of Tuesday, Tasnim news agency said.

The newly recovered bodies have been taken for forensic identification, an official with Golestan province Governor General was quoted by the news agency as saying.

Earlier reports had put the death toll at 35 following the accident occurred in Zemestan Yourt mine near the city of Azadshahr on May 3.

Reports said over 100 miners were injured in the accident.

Officials blamed accumulated methane gas in a two-km-long tunnel for the blast.