Three Killed in Asansol Coal Mine Collapse During Illegal Mining, Five Trapped
Three killed after rathole coal mine collapse in Asansol traps five.
A coal mine collapse in West Bengal's Asansol claimed three lives on Tuesday, with five individuals initially trapped under debris while extracting coal through illegal rathole mining. BJP MLA Ajay Poddar, who was present during the recovery, confirmed that two workers were rescued alive while three bodies were retrieved. The victims were engaged in unauthorised coal extraction at the time of the incident, a practice commonly associated with the region's coal mafia operations.
Poddar alleged a deep nexus between local police, central forces, and the so-called coal mafia, claiming such deadly incidents have become frequent across West Bengal. He stated that ordinary villagers bear the brunt of these accidents while syndicates profit from illegal mining activities. The MLA described the collapse as part of a larger syndicate-driven problem that continues unchecked despite repeated fatalities.
The incident occurred around 7:45 am when the rathole structure gave way, burying the workers under tons of earth and coal. Rescue efforts led to the safe extraction of two survivors, followed by the recovery of the three deceased in the presence of authorities and local representatives. Officials have yet to issue an official statement detailing the cause or immediate response measures.
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This tragedy highlights ongoing safety concerns in illegal rathole mining, a hazardous method banned in many areas due to its high risk of collapses and toxic gas exposure. West Bengal has witnessed multiple similar accidents in recent years, often linked to unregulated coal extraction in abandoned or active mine peripheries. Authorities have not confirmed the deployment of specialised rescue teams for this particular event.
The collapse draws parallels to a November 15, 2025 incident in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, where a stone mine collapse trapped around 15 people. A prolonged rescue operation involving NDRF and SDRF teams recovered seven bodies over three days, after which officials declared no further victims remained trapped following thorough verification. Such incidents underscore persistent challenges in regulating small-scale and illegal mining operations across states.
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