Three, including two minors, who were allegedly illegally mining sand from the bank of the Balasan river near Siliguri in North Bengal, were killed after a portion of the mound caved in, police said.
Police said the incident took place on Monday morning in which three were killed and two others, including a 15-year-old boy, were injured. Local residents with the help of an earth-moving machine recovered the bodies, they said.
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The injured were rushed to a hospital, police said, adding the two deceased were minors, both 15 years in age, while one was aged 20.
“While collecting sand, a portion of the mound caved in. The debris, comprising sand, mud and boulders, fell on them,” said a police officer.
Siliguri Municipal Corporation Mayor Goutam Deb, who visited the spot said, “It was a tragic incident. Those who died are from very poor families and I will report this to the chief minister Mamata Banerjee.”