Jamshedpur, May 28: Two people died on the spot, while several sustained varying degrees of injuries in a major landslide at the Turamdih-situated Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) mines on Saturday. At least 15 people are said to be trapped inside the mine and rescue operations are on till the time of writing this report.
The deceased have been identified as UCIL assistant manager-cum-safety officer Surya Kant Singh and foreman (engineer) Milan Karmakar.
According to reports, condition of the injured, all of whom are being treated at the Tata Main Hospital (TMH) here, is said to be critical.
Among the 11 people rescued so far, the condition of 10 is said to be grave. It is reported that an assistant manager of the mines and two other laborers are still trapped inside the mine. Worst still, it is apprehended that a number of miners are actually buried under the landslide.
The incident occurred at around 10.30 a.m. when all the victims were working 300 feet deep inside the mines at the UCIL Turamdih Project. Suddenly, the miners noticed water and slag sweeping down the roof of the mines, resulting into a major landslide.
Subsequently, all miners underneath were buried by the toxic landslide. Initially taken aback by the gravity of the situation, other employees present at the site swung into action to rescue the trapped miners.
While UCIL authorities are tight-lipped regarding the incident, sources said that the mishap took place in level seven of the mine at a depth of 260 feet. At the time of the mishap, Karmakar along with nine others were engaged in cleaning the silt inside the mine. All of a sudden, the wall of the mine ruptured and the employees were swept away.
While the employees managed to bring out some of the injured colleagues, East Singhbhum SP (Rural) M Arshi and SDO Suraj Kumar rushed to the accident site. The two officials rushed the injured workers to TMH. They said that Surya Kant Singh and Sonaram Kisku are still trapped inside the mine and efforts are on to rescue them.
The rescue team succeeded in rescuing deceased Singh and Karmakar along with nine seriously injured miners. Doctors at the TMH declared Singh and Karmakar “brought dead.” Rescue operations are on to bring out other trapped miners till the time of writing this report. SP (Rural) Arshi and SDO Kumar are camping at the mishap site along with other senior district officials.
The UCIL employees who are undergoing treatment at TMH include Mangal Bhagat, Upendra Singh, Matkam Ho, Satendra Singh and another unidentified employee who was cleaning the slime inside the mines.