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