West Bengal: Seven Killed In Massive Explosion In Birbhum Colliery; Several Feared Trapped

The deceased hail from the tribal belts. The number toll may increase as the whole mine collapsed in the blast and several miners feared trapped.

Khoyrasole (West Bengal): At least seven coal mine workers from the tribal belt were killed and several sustained injuries in a massive blast at Khoyrasole in Birbhum district on Monday morning. The intensity of the explosion was so huge that the dismembered bodies of the deceased were strewn here and there on the spot.

The number toll may increase as the whole mine collapsed in the blast and several workers are feared trapped. The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.

The explosion occurred when detonators were being transported for planned blasts at the Gangaramchak and Gangaramchak-Bhadulia coal mines, a WBPDCL official said. A mine developer and operator (MDO) runs operations at the captive block.

The mine, Gangaramchak Mining Pvt Ltd, is located in Baduliya village under Lokpur Police Station in Khayrasole block of Birbhum. Rampant mining was going on there due to the upcoming festival-Durga Puja.

The entire area was shaken by the terrible explosion and the officials and other workers of GMPL fled soon after the incident. It is learnt that a large quantity of detonators and gelatin sticks were stored in the coal mine. A large police force was dispatched to the spot.