Kolkata, Oct. 5 -- A major mining disaster was narrowly averted on Monday at the Siduli Colliery in the Andal area after a sudden, massive ingress of underground water and the subsequent leakage of hazardous methane gas triggered widespread panic across the region.
Two labourers working inside the mine fell ill after inhaling the gas and were promptly rescued and admitted to a hospital.
According to sources, the incident took place around 6 am during the morning shift change when underground workers noticed a rapid influx of water rushing into the pit number 3 from an unidentified subterranean source. The sudden accumulation of water displaced pocketed gases, forcing toxic methane gas and dense smoke to breach the surface through fresh cracks in the earth. The underground shift caused loud, structural cracking noises and sharp vibrations that simulated earthquake tremors, severely jolting the surrounding residential colony.
Immediately after the incident, the colliery was shut down. Two miners who were trapped deep inside the pit were rescued by emergency teams in critical condition and rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. An inquiry into the incident has reportedly been initiated.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.