Tehran, Sept 14, SPA -- Nine miners died from burns orsuffocation following a gas explosion at a coal mine in thesoutheastern Kerman province, the official Islamic RepublicNews Agency reported Wednesday. Tuesday's blast in the town of Zarand, 1,000 kilometers(620 miles) southeast of the capital Tehran, was blamed onlack of safety precautions, the agency said, quoting alocal official. The report did not say whether there were injuries. Thecoal mine, run by a private company, employs 120 workers. Kerman province is a major coal-producing region in Iran.--SPA1401 Local Time 1101 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/289289