Former MLA claims 30 dead in 3 different incidents in single day

Collapse of illegal coal mines in Gopinathpur OCP of Eastern Coalfields Limited under Nirsa police station, besides two other locations including Dahibari of BCCL and Kapasara   mines of ECL on Tuesday morning is said to have claimed  several lives.

Former MLA Aroop Chaterjee, who inspected different accident spots, later talking to media persons, claimed that altogether 30 persons including kids have been killed in the three incidents.

Bodies of three persons have been recovered by those involved in the illegal mining according to Chatterjee . Bodies of eight to 10 persons is claimed to be trapped under the debris  at each of the locations, he said claiming that he has names of several of them who are trapped. Footwear of several persons along with bags full of illegally mined coal has been found from the incident spot.

Chatterjee said, SSP and DC besides local management of both BCCL and ECL have been apprised by me but none have reached incident spot till late afternoon.

Illegal mining is rampant at different areas in Nirsa but both coal companies and administration are unable to check it, he said.

Some injured persons were taken away for treatment in private hospitals and nursing homes from Gopinathpur location, claimed an eyewitness. 

Senior police officers including Nirsa SDPO PS Kherwar, Nirsa police station in- charge DS Yadav besides officials from coal company have reached  Gopinathpur incident spot and rescue operation has been launched. 

Kherwar said that JCB machines have been deployed for removing the debris. Only after it’s removed we can be sure over number of casualties, he added.

Dhanbad senior SP Sanjeev Kumar said, “Four deaths of coal pickers has been reported at Dahibari. Cases would be filed against them. We have also sought report from Director General of Mines Safety too in this regards.”

An SIT has been constituted headed by Rural SP to investigate the entire incident.