Pope prays for victims of Iran mining disaster

In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the victims of an explosion in a coal mine in Tabas, in the northeastern region of Iran. The accident, which occurred on Saturday evening, 21 September, claimed more than 50 victims.

Pope Francis said he is praying “for those who died and for their bereaved families”, and expressed his “spiritual solidarity with the injured”. The Pope invoked “upon all those affected by this tragedy” the divine blessings “of strength, consolation and peace”.