Ramgarh (Jharkhand), June 13 (IANS) Four youths died after inhaling toxic gas during illegal mining inside an abandoned coal mine in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district on Saturday, officials said.

The incident occurred in the Argadda forest area along the Giddi-Ramgarh border, where a group of youths had entered a closed mine for excavation work. Two of the deceased were residents of Ramgarh district, while the other two hailed from Hazaribagh.

According to information received, one youth first lost consciousness after being exposed to toxic gas inside the mine. In an attempt to rescue him, his three companions descended into the mine one after another, but they too collapsed after inhaling the gas.

The deceased have been identified as Ashish Rajwar (25), Kishor Ravani (35), Deva Kumar Bedia (25), and W Bedia (30). Deva Kumar Bedia and W Bedia were residents of the Sirka-Argadda area in Hazaribagh, while Ashish Rajwar and Kishor Ravani belonged to the Sirka Buddha Bazaar locality in Ramgarh.

Following the incident, local police and villagers reached the spot. A 14-member rescue team from Central Coalfields Limited’s Naisarai mines was deployed, with seven members entering the mine equipped with safety gear. After nearly an hour-long operation, all four youths were pulled out and rushed to a hospital.

Doctors declared two of them dead on arrival, while the remaining two succumbed during treatment.

Administrative officials said preliminary findings indicate extremely low oxygen levels and a high concentration of toxic gases inside the mine. It is suspected that all four died due to suffocation, though the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem reports.

The post-mortem examinations are being conducted under videography, and police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Local residents alleged that the risk of gas leakage in abandoned mines in the area has persisted for a long time.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Aditya Sahu expressed grief over the incident and alleged administrative negligence, demanding accountability in the matter.

–IANS

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