MP: Three coal miners perish in slab collapse
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Synopsis
In a heartbreaking event, three miners died due to a slab collapse at the Chhatarpur-I coal mines operated by Western Coalfields Limited. Rescue teams are still investigating the scene as there are reports of additional workers possibly trapped inside.
Key Takeaways
- Three miners lost their lives due to a slab collapse.
- The incident occurred at Chhatarpur-I coal mines.
- Western Coalfields Limited manages the site.
- Rescue operations are ongoing.
- There may be additional trapped workers.
Bhopal, March 6 (NationPress) In a devastating occurrence, three coal miners tragically lost their lives due to a slab collapse at the Chhatarpur-I coal mines managed by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, on Thursday.
Nishchal Jharia, the Superintendent of Police for Betul district, confirmed the fatalities during a phone call with IANS, stating, “Three workers were recovered half an hour ago, but unfortunately, their lives could not be preserved.”
Following the incident, police and state disaster relief teams swiftly arrived at the scene and worked diligently to rescue the trapped miners.
As per unofficial reports, there may be additional miners still trapped within the mine. The slab collapse happened suddenly, approximately 3.5 km into the mine. However, police officials have not confirmed the dimensions of the collapsed slab, noting that rescue efforts and investigations are ongoing.
The identities of the deceased miners have yet to be disclosed.
The bodies have been sent to a hospital operated by Western Coalfields Limited for post-mortem examinations.
Western Coalfields Limited is involved in the mining and marketing of coal, with operations spread across 82 mines in 10 regions in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The existing underground Chhatarpur mine no. I and Chhatarpur mine no. II are located next to each other in Pathakhera Coalfields.
In October of the previous year, WCL had shut down its underground Pathakhera Mine No-II, which was originally opened in January 1970 in Betul District, due to the depletion of coal reserves.
Additionally, the “Miniratna” company closed another underground mine, Pathakhera Mine No-I, established on May 16, 1963, in Betul District, Madhya Pradesh, due to the exhaustion of extractable reserves across all three coal seams, along with another underground mine, Satpura II, which commenced operations in June 1973 in Betul District, has also been closed due to the depletion of coal resources within approved project limits.
