The number of the dead after the huge explosion in a coal mine in this northeastern Iranian province reached 22, according to the latest reports on Thursday morning.

The major explosion in Zemestanyurt coal mine in Azadshahr region occurred at the length of 1,400m of the mine's horizontal tunnel which has a total length of 1,800m and two stations, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported, quoting a provincial official.

Any contact with the second station has been broken off, Reza Moravvati said.

According to the reports from the scene of explosion, 35 workers have been entrapped in the Azadshahr mine, the dead bodies of 22 of them have already been transferred or being transferred to the outside of the coal mine. 

Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh who arrived here late on Wednesday to examine the incident has announced closure of the Zemestanyurt coal mine 14 km from Azadshahr city.

The closure, as Nematzadeh noted, will remain until further notice.

Source: MENA