Dhanbad, September 13: At least two people were killed after an unauthorised coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district on Sunday morning, while several others were feared trapped, according to local sources.The incident took place around 7 a.m. in the Keshalpur Kumharpatti area of Katras, where a group of people had reportedly entered an illegal mining tunnel to extract coal.
The roof of the underground passage suddenly collapsed, bringing down debris and trapping people inside, the sources said.Local residents immediately reached the site and began rescue efforts using shovels, spades and pickaxes. Three injured people were reportedly rescued and shifted to a nearby nursing facility.
Bodies were also recovered from the debris. However, there was no immediate official confirmation of the final death toll. A representative of a local coal workers’ union claimed that three people had died.Police reached the site and launched an investigation. Rescue teams and local residents were also working to determine whether more people remained trapped underground.
The incident has renewed concerns over illegal coal extraction in Dhanbad, a major coal-producing district of Jharkhand.The Katras mining area falls under the lease of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), a Coal India subsidiary. However, the site of the incident was reportedly not being operated as an authorised mine by BCCL.
Residents have alleged that illegal coal extraction has been taking place in the area for some time, with narrow and unstable tunnels being used to remove coal.Police are investigating the circumstances of the collapse and the alleged illegal mining activity.
Further details on the number of people trapped and the confirmed death toll are awaited.
