Nearly 7 killed, several injured after explosion at coal mine in West Bengal's Birbhum

At least seven workers lost their lives and several others sustained critical injuries following a massive explosion at a coal mine in Birbhum district on Monday. The devastating blast occurred at the Gangaramchak Mining Private Limited colliery, located in the Lokpur area, during routine coal-crushing operations.

The explosion took place around 10:30 AM in the Bhadulia block, as confirmed by reports from the Press Trust of India (PTI), citing a local police officer. "So far, three bodies have been recovered, and rescue operations are still ongoing," stated the officer.

According to officials, the blast occurred while detonators were being transported for scheduled explosions at the Gangaramchak and Gangaramchak-Bhadulia coal mines. A senior official from the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) confirmed that the mine’s operations were being handled by a mine developer and operator (MDO) contracted for the site.

Local BJP MLA Anup Saha, who visited the scene of the tragedy, expressed deep concern over the incident. “At least five workers have died, and three others are critically injured. It appears the explosives were unloaded from a truck without following necessary safety precautions,” he said. The explosion reportedly happened in the coal block’s dump yard, raising further questions about the handling of hazardous materials.

P B Salim, Chairman and Managing Director of WBPDCL, addressed the media, saying, “The workers who lost their lives were employed by the agency tasked with mining operations. An investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the blast. Our priority remains providing aid to the affected workers and ensuring the safety of the site."

The WBPDCL, a company owned by the West Bengal government, operates five power plants with a combined installed capacity of 4,265 MW. With an additional 660 MW of thermal capacity expected to be added this fiscal year, the company continues to play a pivotal role in the state's energy infrastructure. This incident, however, has cast a somber shadow over operations, prompting calls for stricter safety protocols at industrial sites.

Authorities have launched a detailed probe into the incident, aiming to identify lapses in safety measures and prevent further tragedies at the site. The coal mine blast has reignited discussions around industrial safety standards, highlighting the risks faced by workers in hazardous environments.

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