Two die, four trapped in mine subsidence

Bardhaman, Jan 19 (UNI) Two persons died and four were trapped after an abandoned coal mine of the Eastern Coalfields Limited(ECL) caved in today at Pahargora area under Salanur police station in Burdwan district.

Official sources said the incident occurred during the wee hours after a 60 sq ft area of the mine subsided killing the two persons.

Block Divisional Officer Shankar Santra confirming the subsidence said illegal and unauthorised coal mining was on in this area since the last five years.

''The subsidence is a result of such illegal mining,'' he added.

Official sources said one of the deceased had been identified and rescue operation was on to bring out the trapped ones.

Mr Santra said such mining was rampant in Kusumkanali village near here and efforts are on to check them.

However, Asansol Additional Superintendent of Police Bastab Vaidya had refused to comment on this.

ECL Chairman cum Managing Director Deepak Chakraborty said the poor socio-economic conditions was responsible for such incidents.

Meanwile, the ECL have started some drilling operation on NH2 to examine the soil condition of this area and construct an alternative road parallel to it.

UNI