Dhanbad, September 11: A major tragedy struck Jharia on Wednesday evening when a ruined BCCL quarters at Lodna number eight collapsed, leaving three people dead and four others critically injured.
Eyewitnesses said children had gone inside the abandoned house to escape the rain when the structure suddenly caved in, burying seven people under the rubble. Panic gripped the locality as residents rushed in and pulled them out with the help of a JCB.
The victims were first rushed to a private hospital in Jharia, but three of them were later referred to Dhanbad due to their critical condition. Doctors at Joda Phatak Road hospital declared them dead on arrival. Their bodies were later sent to SNMMCH for post-mortem.
The deceased have been identified as Gopal Sharma (25), his niece Sushma Kumari (11), and Chirag Kumar (10). Gopal had reportedly taken shelter in the house along with his niece during the downpour.
Meanwhile, four others – Shambhu Pati, Michael, Chhotu, and Aaqib Ansari – sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment at SNMMCH. Doctors have described the condition of the victims as critical.
As soon as news of the accident spread, Jharia MLA Ragini Singh reached the hospital and inquired about the victims’ condition.
After the incident, there was widespread anger among local residents against the BCCL management. The locals alleged that the tragedy was the result of the company’s negligence. They said that despite repeated complaints about the ruined and old structures, it was never demolished or repaired on time. They claimed that had action been taken earlier, innocent lives could have been saved.
