A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, where a portion of an illegal coal mine collapsed, resulting in the death of one person and fears that several others may still be trapped underground. The mishap occurred in the Karma area, a known hotspot for illegal coal mining activities.
Authorities confirmed the recovery of one body from the site. Rescue operations are currently underway, with officials racing against time to locate and save those feared to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Ashutosh Kumar Singh, the in-charge of the Kuju Police Outpost, stated that the collapse occurred during illegal coal extraction by local villagers. “We have recovered one body so far. There are suspicions that more people are trapped inside the mine, and the rescue efforts are ongoing,” he told PTI.
Preliminary reports suggest that a group of villagers had entered the mine before dawn to extract coal when a portion of the tunnel gave way, burying some of them under debris. These kinds of unauthorized mining practices have long plagued Jharkhand, especially in coal-rich districts like Ramgarh, Dhanbad, and Hazaribagh, where economic hardship and lack of employment often push locals into hazardous, unregulated mining work.
Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz confirmed that the district administration was alerted to the incident in the morning. “An administrative team has been dispatched to the site to assess the situation and coordinate the rescue operations,” he said.
Local sources indicate that the collapse caused panic in the surrounding area, with families of those missing rushing to the site in desperation. Rescue workers, assisted by local police and administrative staff, have cordoned off the area and are using limited equipment to sift through the debris.
The absence of proper mining infrastructure, safety measures, and monitoring in illegal operations makes such accidents both frequent and deadly. While licensed mining operations are subject to regulation and oversight, illegal mining continues to flourish due to high demand for coal and the lack of livelihood alternatives for rural communities.
This latest tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger enforcement and community support to curb illegal mining. Authorities are expected to launch a formal investigation into the collapse, and further action may be taken against those involved in organizing or profiting from the illicit activity.
As rescue teams continue their operations, the district administration has assured that all possible efforts are being made to save those trapped and provide assistance to affected families.
More updates are expected as the situation develops.
