Jharkhand coal mine collapse: Death toll rises to 17

The catastrophe at Jharkhand mine had occurred at the Rajmahal Opencast Project of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) around 7.30 PM on Thursday

Jharkhand, Jan 1: The death toll at a mine in Lalmatia, Jharkhand which had collapsed in the early hours of Friday, December 30, has rises to 17, reported HuffPost India. The tragedy left approximately 40-50 mine workers along with machinery (40 vehicles) belonging to a private company trapped beneath the rubble. The catastrophe had occurred at the Rajmahal Opencast Project of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) around 7.30 PM on Thursday, December 29.

Death toll from Jharkhand coal mine disaster rises to 17https://t.co/iM7J02Ipqi pic.twitter.com/R55ia6MyhZ

— HuffPost India (@HuffPostIndia) January 1, 2017

On Saturday, two more bodies were recovered from the rubble. The rescue operation is going on. There are chances of some more people still trapped in the debris,” said a police spokesperson to IANS. Rescue operation is being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force with assistance from the ECL, Bharat Cooking Coal Limited (BCCL), the state government and experts.

As per the locals, there was a crack in the heap of mud which collapsed and blocked the entry point of the mine. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh was also announced later in the day for all the workers who have lost their lives in the disaster.

“The company (ECL) has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased, in addition to the amount to be paid under the Workmen’s Compensation Act. All the necessary help to the families of the deceased is being extended by ECL. Two persons have met with injuries and treated in the Area Hospital. One of them has been sent to Durgapur for further treatment,” a PIB release stated.

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