Iranian Coal Miners, Furious Over Deaths, Confront President
By THOMAS ERDBRINKMAY 8, 2017
MAY 8, 2017
TEHRAN — Angry miners grieving the deaths of dozens of co-workers trapped after an explosion blocked the convoy of President
Hassan Rouhani over the weekend, an extraordinary display of public anger two weeks before presidential elections.
Workers from the Zemestan-Yurt coal mine in northern Iran, some of whose faces were still black from their failed attempts
to rescue at least 35 miners stuck in several shafts since Wednesday, blocked the car carrying Mr. Rouhani on Sunday.
Rouhani said: ‘I will go to the mine alone so that the miners would achieve comfort
and serenity by yelling at the highest national official; this is an honor for me,’ " the chief of staff wrote in another post.
In yet another clip, posted by the Tasnim news agency, Mr. Rouhani can be seen standing among miners.
As other cars in the convoy slowly make their way forward, the black armored car is seen surrounded by miners.
Some miners could be heard swearing, as another, wearing a miner’s helmet and sitting on the roof of the car shouted: "Make way.