Dhanbad, September 5: Six person were killed and one was missing after the ground suddenly collapsed at the Maa Ambe Mining Project site in Katras. All the seven victims were travelling in a BCCL service van which fell nearly 400 feet into the deep pit created by the collapse.
One worker’s body was recovered shortly after the mishap, and the other five were pulled out by late Friday evening after strenuous effort.
The disaster caused widespread destruction in the area as several houses and makeshift structures near the open-cast mine at BCCL Area-4 in the Ramkanali police station area also collapsed. A cattle shed was flattened, leaving several cattle trapped under the debris. In the panic, four people were injured while running for safety and were rushed to a nearby hospital.
The van was pulled out with the help of heavy machines. A special team from the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) joined the rescue operation along with Dhanbad Police, CISF personnel, and senior officials. The area was sealed to carry out relief work.
Expressing deep sorrow, Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahto said that the matter will be thoroughly investigated. “The tragic accident at Ambe Mining outsourcing site under BCCL Katras area, in which six workers lost their lives, is deeply saddening. I visited the site to review the relief and rescue operations and directed the officials to take immediate action,” Mahto posted on X.
“This incident appears to be a result of serious negligence of safety standards. A high-level inquiry will be conducted and strict action will be taken against the responsible officials. May God grant peace to the departed souls,” he added.
Locals said that such ground collapses have happened before and blamed poor safety measures for the tragedy.
