Four Die After Inhaling Toxic Gas in Abandoned Jharkhand Coal Mine

Ramgarh (IANS): Toxic gas killed four youths during illegal mining operations inside an abandoned coal mine in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district. The incident occurred in the Argadda forest area along the Giddi-Ramgarh border when a group of youths entered a closed mine to excavate coal. Two of the victims resided in Ramgarh district, while the other two hailed from Hazaribagh.

According to reports, the toxic gas inside the mine first knocked one youth unconscious. In a desperate rescue attempt, his three companions descended into the mine one after another, but the gas quickly overcame them as well.

The victims include Ashish Rajwar (25), Kishor Ravani (35), Deva Kumar Bedia (25), and W Bedia (30). Deva Kumar Bedia and W Bedia lived in the Sirka-Argadda area of Hazaribagh, while Ashish Rajwar and Kishor Ravani belonged to the Sirka Buddha Bazaar locality in Ramgarh.

Rescue Operations and Investigation

Following the incident on Saturday, local police and villagers rushed to the spot. Central Coalfields Limited deployed a 14-member rescue team from its Naisarai mines. Seven team members equipped themselves with safety gear and entered the mine. After nearly an hour, rescuers pulled the four youths out and rushed them to a hospital.

Doctors declared two of the youth dead on arrival, while the remaining two succumbed during treatment.

Administrative officials stated that preliminary findings indicate extremely low oxygen levels and a high concentration of toxic gases inside the mine. Officials suspect suffocation caused the deaths, though post-mortem reports will confirm the exact cause.

Medical staff are currently conducting the post-mortem examinations under videography, and police have launched a full investigation into the incident.

Local Reaction

Local residents alleged that abandoned mines in the area have posed a continuous risk of gas leakage for a long time.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Aditya Sahu expressed grief over the incident, blaming administrative negligence and demanding accountability from the authorities.