DHANBA, Nov. 6 -- Three women were killed and four others injured after a massive portion of a coal stockpile collapsed at the No. 5 old stockyard of Kathara Colliery operated by the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Bokaro district early on Thursday morning, officials said. The victims had gone to the stockyard to collect rejected coal for domestic use when a section of the accumulated coal suddenly caved in, burying several people underneath. The incident took place around 3 am. Six women and a man were collecting coal from the stockyard when a large portion of the coal heap, estimated to be around 50 to 60 feet high, suddenly collapsed. Around 100 tonnes of coal are estimated to have caved in. Following the incident, local residents rushed to the spot and helped rescue those trapped beneath the coal. The deceased have been identified as Kaushalya Devi (42), wife of Vishwanath Yadav alias Mundla Yadav, a resident of Partand under Bandh Panchayat; Pushpa Devi (45), wife of Gallu Rajwar, a resident of Mandai Tola; and Sohadari Devi (39), wife of Hiralal Yadav, a resident of Baburam Tola. Sohadari Devi's husband had died already, sometimes back. Doctors at Kathara Regional Hospital declared all three women dead around 4am. Subsequently, villagers took the bodies to their respective homes. Among the injured, Malwa Devi (45), wife of Chhotan Gop and a resident of Bandh Basti, sustained minor injuries. She was given first aid by Dr Umesh Yadav at Kathara Regional Hospital and subsequently discharged. Subash Yadav, a resident of Kaltola Pardih, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bokaro. Two other persons, including a woman and a man, sustained serious injuries and were referred to Bokaro General Hospital (BGH) after initial treatment. Their identities and latest medical condition were yet to be confirmed. Bermo Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ravindra Singh said, "The incident took place at Kathara Colliery in which three persons have lost their lives. The exact circumstances leading to the deaths and the cause of the mishap are being investigated. Further details will emerge after the investigation." Rajeev Singh, General Manager of CCL's Kathara Area, expressed grief over the incident and said, "This is a tragic incident. My sympathies are with the affected families. I will work towards ensuring that such an incident does not happen again." CCL officials, including Project Officer Ranjit Kumar and Safety Officer R.K. Barnwal, reached the site after receiving information about the incident. The management deployed a payloader to remove the collapsed coal and inspect the area. No additional persons were found trapped beneath the coal during the inspection....