At least five persons were killed after the surface of an illegal coal mine caved in while they were digging out coal at Kabribad mines here on Saturday early morning.
The deceased have been identified as Md Samid (40), Md Kurban (35), Md Imanul Haque (22) Md Sonu (25) and Md Chhotu (24). Police have recovered five bodies. locals said six persons were buried, though the official sources did not confirm.
Sub Divisional Police Officer Manish Toppo said dozens of other labourers managed to flee from the spot after the incident.
Giridih Superintendent of Police Akhilesh B Veriyar said, “Five labourers were killed after the roof of the coal mines fell on them on Saturday morning as they were indulging in illegal mining. The bodies were sent for post-mortem. Many villagers were illegally involved in mining in Kabribad mines. All were said to be involved in illegal mining without any safety norms.”
local residents said the incident occurred around 4 am. Over 200 hundred men, women and youths were busy in digging out coal around 10 feet below the surface. But unfortunately the upper layer of the mine where Samid, Kurban and three others were extracting coal subsided with huge mound on them and they were crushed under it, they said.
The other labourers somehow managed to come out and raised the alarm prompting the villagers to rush to the spot and recovered the bodies from the debris. The bodies were taken by villagers to their homes but Muffasil police later sent them for the post-mortem.
Sources said many women of local Kabribad areas frequented the abandoned mines to dig out coal which later used for cooking or selling.
A pall of gloom descended on Kabribad area as the news spread. Many residents, especially family members of deceased, are now living in fear of police action in this connection.