Rescue ops begin at Jharkhand coal mine, seven bodies recovered
Five NDRF teams are at the site and rescue operations have been started. 40 vehicles were inside the mine at the time of the cave-in.
Over 40 workers were left trapped after a coal mine in Lalmatia district in Jharkhand caved in on Thursday night. Rescue operations began this morning.
The rescue team is in action and the diggers are clearing the debris. Seven bodies have been recovered and several others are feared trapped under the debris.
About 40 vehicles were inside the Rajmahal open cast mines when a huge part of mine ceiling near the entry.
Due to dense fog in the morning, the rescue operation got delayed. Five National Disaster Response Force teams have also been called in.
Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das had ordered the DGP and Chief Secratary to fasten the rescue operation.
Harilal Chauhan, Godda Superintendent of Police has released a statement saying that the exact number of people and vehicles trapped inside is not known, and will only become clear after the rescue operation starts .
The mishap occured when a heap of mud caved in at the Lalmatia mines of Eastern Coalfields Limited in the Godda district. At the time of the cave in there were about 40 vehicles inside and rescue operations could not be started due to the fog.
Mining operations were going on about 200 feat beneath the ground.