In a tragic incident, three girls were killed and six other injured in Lakhnaur village of Shivpuri district on Monday when an illegal mine of black soil caved in. The incident took place when a group of nine girls had gone to the mine site to fetch soil to make toys for local festival Tesu. As they were digging out soil from the site, the mine caved in and all the nine girls fell into the gorge and were buried under the soil.

People from surrounding fields rushed to the spot after hearing the screams and pulled out the girls one by one but three of them had died on spot. Six injured girls were rushed to hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Akalwati, whose condition was stated to be critical, has been referred to Gwalior for treatment while five remaining girls including Radha Lodhi, 16, Anjali Lodhi, 8, Sonia, 12, Baijanti, 16 and Vimlesh,15, are admitted at Shivpuri district hospital.

The three girls, who lost their lives in the incident, are Rani, Ajanta and Ravina. Their bodies were handed over to parents after post mortem. Police have registered a case and further investigation into the matter was being made.

District collector, RK Jain said it won't be appropriate to call it an illegal mine. He said all the arrangements were being made for proper treatment of girls admitted to hospital but as of now no ex-gratia has been announced for the bereaved families.