Illegal Mining Tragedy in Dhanbad: 3 Dead, Several Injured in BCCL’s 4A Patch Collapse

Three people have reportedly lost their lives, and a half dozen are injured due to a shaft collapse during illegal mining operations in BCCL’s 4A patch in Dhanbad.

DESK – In a tragic turn of events, a mining operation in BCCL’s 4A patch, located in Bhaura, Jharia constituency of Dhanbad, suffered a collapse on Friday.

As learnt from different media channels, the incident occurred during illegal mining activities and claimed at least three lives.

While the deaths have not been officially confirmed, the news portal has reported that at least 3 persons have died and half a dozen individuals suffered injuries in the collapse.

According to the news portals and channels having presence in the area, illegal miners, fearing legal action, have surreptitiously removed the bodies and are secretly treating the injured.

Family members have transported the wounded to various private hospitals.

The report says that there are still concerns that some people might be trapped under the rubble.

Upon hearing of the collapse, hundreds of locals, along with Bhaura OP police and Jorapokhar police station officers, rushed to the scene.

The incident occurred in East Jharia’s 4A patch where hundreds of illegal miners operate daily. The collapse reportedly resulted from an overload of mined material.

According to the reports, eyewitnesses reported that a woman, a man, and a minor were among the fatalities.

These incidents continue to occur despite ongoing concerns about the illegal coal operations in the EJ area of Bhaura.

Notably, coal thefts persist in Bhumra Colliery and 4A Patch, with gang leaders overseeing these operations from afar, thereby putting the miners, who work for wages, in danger.

The reports say the locals allege that a large number of coal thieves from across the Damodar river in Bhaura steal coal daily, often with the complicit support of local police and some CISF personnel.

This unchecked activity leads to indiscriminate coal theft, supplying stolen coal across the river in Bokaro and Bengal.