A methane leak sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, killing at least 32 people and injuring 17 others, Iranian state media reported Sunday. Another 18 miners are believed to be trapped inside.

A further 16 people are injured and 17 miners are still missing after the gas explosion in a coal mine in Iran's South Khorasan province.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An incident at a coal mine in eastern Iran has killed at least 19 people, Iranian state television reported Sunday. The report said the deaths happened at a coal mine in Tabas. It said authorities were sending emergency personnel to the area.