At least one person has been killed after a portion of a coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand's Ramgarh on Saturday. As per a report by news agency PTI, police officials have stated that many are feared trapped in the mine. Rescue operations are underway.
As per officials, the incident occurred in the early hours at Karma area in the district.
Also Read: Coal mine collapses in Dhanbad, one dead
“We received information about the incident in the morning. An administrative team has been sent to the spot to investigate the matter," Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner (DC) Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz told news agency PTI
As rescue operations continue, one body has been recovered from the site.
"One body has been recovered so far and rescue operation is underway, as more people are suspected to be trapped," Kuju Police Outpost in-charge Ashutosh Kumar Singh told PTI.
Officials highlight ‘illegal’ mining case
As per SDM Ramgarh, Anurag Tiwari, the incident occurred in the boundary of Central Coalfields Limited. However, the official added that the case is related to an illegal mining operation.
"This incident occurred in the boundary of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). We have reached the site of the mine collapse. All angles are being investigated, after which the cause, casualties, and injuries can be ascertained... This is a matter of illegal mining in CCL," Tiwari told news agency ANI.
{{/usCountry}}"This incident occurred in the boundary of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). We have reached the site of the mine collapse. All angles are being investigated, after which the cause, casualties, and injuries can be ascertained... This is a matter of illegal mining in CCL," Tiwari told news agency ANI.
{{/usCountry}}BJP state president Babulal Marandi slammed the Soren government as he highlighted the coal theft case in Ramgarh.
"People's lives are put in danger for mining, and when the mines collapse, people lose their lives. This happens directly under the watch of the administration. The illegal coal mining has many mafias associated with it, in a very organised way... A syndicate of coal theft also operates in parallel. The government knows everything," he told media reporters.