Ranchi: In a horrific incident, a coal mine caved-in in Jharkhand on Thursday night, trapping several people and vehicles. Rescue teams have recovered four bodies till now.
According to Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, the chairman-cum-managing director of Western Coalfields Ltd and Eastern Coalfields Ltd, one more body is visible and will be taken out soon.
Saying that rescue operation is underway, Mishra told news agency ANI that three excavators and seven dumpers were identified at the mining site where the incident took place. Two dumpers fled when land subsided, added Mishra.
On the number of people trapped inside the cave, Mishra had earlier said that according to rules, one person is allowed per equipment and as two dumpers fled during the incident, so the number may be less than seven.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das is monitoring the situation closely and has asked the concerned officials to intensify rescue operations. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Piyush Goyal said he was taking stock of the situation. Rescue efforts are underway and an inquiry has been initiated, added Goyal.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was likely to reach here by noon, officials said.
Rescue operations began this morning as they were prevented last night due to fog.
As per police, a heap of mud caved in at the entry point of Latmatia mines of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Godda district.
At the time of the cave-in at the Rajmahal Open Cast Mines of Paharia Bhorya site, more than 40 vehicles were inside, reported news agency IANS.
“The exact number of people and vehicle trapped inside is not known. This could only become clear after the rescue operation starts,” said Harilal Chauhan, Godda Superintendent of Police, earlier.
The locals said that there was a crack in the heap of mud which collapsed and blocked the entry point of the mine.
Mining operations were taking place about 200 feet beneath the ground.
Bureau Report
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