Illegal Coal Mine Collapses in Dhanbad, 3 Dead and Several Feared Trapped

At least three people were killed and several others are feared trapped after an illegal coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district on Sunday morning, a labour union leader said.

The accident took place around 7 a.m. at Keshalpur Kumharpatti under the Ramkanali OP area of Katras, according to Vimalesh Chaubey, Regional President of the National Colliery Mazdoor Union.

Chaubey said a group of men and women had entered an unauthorised mine tunnel to extract and collect coal when the roof suddenly caved in, trapping several people underneath.

“Some men and women had gone into the illegal tunnel to cut and pick coal. The upper part of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, burying several people under the debris. Following the accident, nearby villagers rushed to the scene and began removing the debris using spades, pickaxes and other tools. We know that three people are confirmed dead,” he said.

Three injured people were rescued from the site and taken to a nearby nursing home for treatment, Chaubey added.

Rescue efforts were stepped up after local residents raised concerns that more people could still be trapped beneath the debris. Villagers were seen clearing the rubble with basic tools as they searched for those buried in the collapsed tunnel.

Illegal coal extraction through unauthorised mine tunnels has reportedly been taking place in the area, with locally extracted coal allegedly being transported on motorcycles and sold in nearby markets.

Such unregulated mining operations can be particularly dangerous because the stability of underground passages is often uncertain, increasing the risk of sudden roof collapses and other accidents.

Police reached the site following the incident and began investigating the circumstances leading to the collapse. Officials were also monitoring the rescue operation as efforts continued to determine whether anyone else remained trapped underground.

The incident has once again raised concerns over illegal coal mining in the Dhanbad region, one of Jharkhand’s major coal-producing belts, where unauthorised mining activities have periodically resulted in accidents and loss of life.