Godda (Jharkhand): In a dreadful incident, Eight miners were killed and some others feared trapped following a cave-in at Lalmatia opencast coal mine at Rajmahal area of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) on Thursday night.
“So far, bodies of eight miners have been recovered from the mine. Rescue work is on,” R R Mishra, officiating CMD of ECL, a Coal India arm, said.
There was a mishap at the mine in Godda district at around 7.30 PM last night when excavators and tippers were working there following which rescue operations were launched immediately, Mishra said.
Director General of Mines Safety and senior officials were there to supervise the rescue operation, Mishra said.
He said 10 types of equipment — three excavators and seven tipper trucks — have been recovered.
A high-level committee has been formed to inquire into the reasons behind the mishap, Mishra said.
Police said two persons were injured in the incident and were being treated at a hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Raghubar Das over the phone and took stock of the situation.
The PM said Jharkhand Government and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal were “working to restore normalcy”.
The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) has been engaged for rescue & relief operations.
“Saddened by the loss of lives at a mine in Jharkhand. My prayers are with those trapped inside. Spoke to CM Raghubar Das on the situation,” Modi said on twitter.
Saddened by the loss of lives at a mine in Jharkhand. My prayers are with those trapped inside. Spoke to CM Raghubar Das on the situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2016
Jharkhand Government & Minister @PiyushGoyal are working to restore normalcy. @NDRFHQ has been engaged for rescue & relief operations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 30, 2016
Expressing sorrow, the Jharkhand Chief Minister has announced assistance of Rs two lakh for the families of the miners who died in the accident.
He also announced Rs 25,000 to the injured, official sources said.
गोड्डा खदान दुर्घटना के पीड़ितों के लिए राहत और बचाव कार्यों में तेजी रखने का निर्देश दिया। आला अधिकारियों को घटना स्थल पर रहने को कहा है।
— Raghubar Das (@dasraghubar) December 30, 2016
“All senior officials have been asked to stay at the site,” the CM tweeted.
ALSO READ: Fire breaks out in Pune Bakery; six dead