Four killed in illegal coal mine mishap in Ramgarh
PNS
Ranchi
A fatal accident linked to illegal coal extraction claimed the lives of four young men in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district on Saturday, after they reportedly suffocated inside an abandoned mining pit where oxygen levels were critically low.
The incident took place in a forested area known as Kaju Bagan near a closed mine operated by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Argada. According to preliminary findings, the victims had entered a pit more than 30 feet deep to collect coal when they were overcome by a combination of oxygen deficiency and hazardous gases trapped inside the mine.
Local residents alerted authorities after the men failed to emerge from the pit, prompting an emergency rescue operation. Senior officials from CCL, including Safety Officer Ramesh Kumar and Area Quality Manager S.N. Tiwari, rushed to the site to coordinate rescue efforts.
A specialized 12-member mine rescue unit, supported by a medical team from Giddi Hospital led by Dr. Sagar Kumar, was deployed to recover the trapped individuals. After a challenging operation, rescuers succeeded in bringing all four men to the surface.
The deceased were identified as Kishore and Ashish of Sirka Budhbazar, and Deva and Wblu from Tongi village. Medical personnel examined the victims and shifted them to a hospital, where doctors confirmed that all four had died.
Officials involved in the rescue said atmospheric conditions inside the pit were extremely dangerous. While oxygen concentration near the surface was recorded at around 9 percent, it fell dramatically to nearly 2 percent at greater depths. The presence of carbon dioxide and other noxious gases further increased the risk, making survival virtually impossible.
Police officers from Ramgarh and Kuju reached the location soon after receiving information about the tragedy and began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The recovery of the bodies drew large crowds of villagers and relatives to the site. Heartbroken family members mourned the loss of the young men as the region grappled with yet another tragedy tied to unauthorized mining activities. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over the continuing practice of illegal coal extraction and the life-threatening hazards it poses.
