At least 40 workers are feared trapped inside a collapsed coal mine in Jharkhand, police said on Friday. Rescue operations began in the morning, according to ANI news agency. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is on its way and likely to reach there by noon.
A heap of mud caved-in at the entry point of Lalmatia mines of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Godda district, the police said.
At the time of the cave-in at the Rajmahal Open Cast Mines of Paharia Bhorya site, more than 40 vehicles were inside.
Jharkhand (Lalmatia) mine collapse: 40-50 workers feared trapped under the debris, rescue operations on. NDRF team from Patna on the way. pic.twitter.com/E0q9MLdDuR
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016
Jharkhand (Lalmatia) mine collapse: 40-50 workers feared trapped under the debris, rescue operations on. NDRF team from Patna on the way. pic.twitter.com/fYyK0XAhmI
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016
Godda: Mine collapsed in Lalmatia in Jharkhand last night, many workers feared trapped. (injured being given medical aid in a hospital) pic.twitter.com/ixCjRNT3fS
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016
Mine collapsed in Lalmatia in Jharkhand last night pic.twitter.com/VYpYOBIEuY
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016
Lalmatia(Jharkhand): Some machineries of pvt company along with around 40-50 workers are suspected to be trapped inside the debris,says CISF
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 30, 2016
Rescue operation could not begin due to night fog, the police said.
Indian Express reported that Chief Minister Raghubar Das directed the DGP and Chief Secretary to see to relief and rescue operations.
"The exact number of people and vehicle trapped inside is not known. This could only become clear after the rescue operation starts," said Harilal Chauhan, Godda Superintendent of Police, earlier.
The locals said that there was crack in the heap of mud which collapsed and blocked the entry point of the mine. Mining operations were taking place about 200 feet beneath the ground.