Birbhum: The fire that erupted in a coal mine in Birbhum district of West Bengal has claimed at least seven lives, with many others injured. The mishap took place on Monday at Gangaramchak Mining Private Limited colliery situated in the Lokpur area, which was in the process of blowing up with explosives to remove coal.
First-hand reports suggest that the explosion was followed by an outpour of initial confusion that led personnel across the site and senior management to run to some sections free of the danger. Graphic scenes featured the lifeless corpses of the victims lying on the streets next to their cars, which were still parked near the mine, to demonstrate the magnitude of the catastrophe.
The police on the scene were quickly notified and proceeded to arrive at the scene in order to evaluate it and establish operations for the evacuation. Several people were taken to a nearby health center for treatment, although it is still dark as to the exact extent of their injuries.
Unfortunately, this tragic event also brings into focus the continued hazards faced in the mining sector in India. The same happened in West Bengal’s Kulti when, in January this year, a number of people got entrapped inside a coal mine while illegally mining coal, and the roof of the mine caved in. This particular mine of BCCL led to concerns relating to the implementation of mining laws and the consequences of unauthorized mining.
While officials look for the cause of the latest blast and the question of whether the recently raised safety codes are sufficient to guard against this kind of tragedy, demands for improving what safety measures are already in place are mounting. All that the families of the victims are left to do is to weep and wail while the community continues to count the loss of this disastrous tragedy.
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