All 14 workers rescued safely from West Bengal mine (Img: IANS)
Bardhaman: All 14 workers trapped at a coal mine in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district were rescued safely on Tuesday after a technical fault disrupted the mine’s pulley system. No casualties were reported, an official said.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Kumardihi A underground mine, operated by Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), a subsidiary of state-owned Coal India Ltd. A rope slipped off the pulley drum, disrupting the mechanism used to transport workers between the surface and underground sections.
“All 14 workers have been rescued. There has been no casualty,” ECL Chairman and Managing Director Satish Jha said.
The workers were stuck in two lifting cages at a depth of around 50 metres. The mine’s pulley system extends to approximately 90 metres underground.
Rescue efforts began soon after the incident, with officials maintaining communication with the trapped workers. Food and water were supplied to them while arrangements were made to bring them to the surface. Adequate ventilation was also available inside the mine.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state government was coordinating with ECL authorities to ensure the workers’ safe evacuation. Senior officials, including the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner, the Paschim Bardhaman district magistrate, the chief secretary and the home secretary, were in touch with the company.
"They (ECL) are repairing the faults. I pray to God for their quick rescue. The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner, the Paschim Bardhaman district magistrate, the chief secretary and the home secretary are in touch with ECL. I do not want to speak much on this," he said.
Police personnel were deployed at the mine, while senior district administration officials were present at the site to monitor the situation.
The successful rescue brought the operation to a close without any reported loss of life.
