A coal theft incident at an open-cast mine owned by a state-run company led to a landslide in Asansol, West Bengal, trapping several individuals. BJP MLA Ajay Poddar confirmed the recovery of three bodies from the mine, with two others hospitalized in critical condition. Rescue efforts commenced promptly following the accident, initially fearing multiple individuals were trapped inside.
Coal theft is a prevalent issue in the Asansol region, where individuals illicitly enter mines to extract coal despite the associated dangers. The landslide occurred in the Barira area of the Kulti police station, within a mine operated by the state-owned BCCL while coal extraction was ongoing. Local residents and BCCL officials, accompanied by law enforcement, initiated rescue operations using a JCB machine at the site.
The District Magistrate of West Burdwan, Ponnamabalam S, mentioned that an investigation is ongoing to ascertain the circumstances of the mishap, promising further details post-investigation completion. The Kulti area mourns the loss of three lives due to the incident, prompting concerns about the prevalence of illegal mining activities in the coal mine. Allegations suggest that locals risk their lives engaging in unauthorized mining operations, bypassing administrative and security protocols.
