Dhanbad 'Mine Collapse' Sparks Political Storm Amid Claims Of Illegal Mining Deaths

A possible mine collapse near Jamunia, Jharkhand, has sparked controversy. While some leaders claim multiple fatalities due to illegal mining, local authorities and BCCL deny any such incident.

An 'mine collapse' has allegedly left several miners dead. (Representative image: AI)

Source : ABPLIVE AI

A possible mine collapse near Jamunia in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district has triggered panic, amid claims that several workers may be dead due to illegal mining activities. As per All India Radio, at least five people have died in the mine collapse while dozens are trapped.

However, the site of the alleged incident remains unverified, reported news agency PTI. This has delayed the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from launching rescue operations.

"9 Dead in Jharkhand Mine Collapse: Hemant Soren Govt’s Criminal Negligence on Illegal Mining Laid Bare"

Another tragedy, another cover-up. The rising body count is no longer an accident — it’s the deadly outcome of a deep-rooted nexus of illegal mining, political complicity,... pic.twitter.com/i6Kdb4wZl8

— BJP Sashi Kumar Subramony 🇮🇳 (@BjpSashi) July 23, 2025

Leaders Claim Deaths, Authorities Deny Incident

Several political leaders, including Giridih MP from the AJSU Chandra Prakash Choudhary and former Jharkhand minister Saryu Roy, have raised alarm over the situation, suggesting there may have been multiple fatalities. In contrast, the local administration and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) have denied that any such incident occurred.

STORY | Jharkhand: MP stages dharna for 'rescue' of illegal miners; BCCL, police say no sign of collapse

READ: https://t.co/HNjIUn3pRW

VIDEO:#JharkhandNews #DhanbadNews

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/CbWgnoSksb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2025

Choudhary staged a sit-in protest outside the Baghmara police station on July 24, claiming that nine workers had died in the collapse. MLA Saryu Roy alleged a cover-up, accusing officials of hastily covering the site with fresh soil to destroy evidence. According to Roy, the death toll could be as high as 15.

Both leaders accused a nexus between coal mafias, BCCL officials, and the police, alleging that illegal mining operations are continuing unchecked. Choudhary also posted on X (formerly Twitter) that his protest would continue until the bodies were recovered.

Rescue Team On Standby, But No Signs of Collapse

An NDRF official told PTI that rescue efforts were initially stalled because there was no clear information about the exact location of the alleged collapse. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan later confirmed that an NDRF team had been sent to the site, but found no evidence of a mine collapse, reported PTI Bhasha.

A 33-member NDRF unit led by officer Santosh Pathania has been deployed at the spot, supported by BCCL's own Mines Rescue Team, which is ready for joint operations if required.

Workers 'Missing', Tensions Rise

Four workers from Taratand in Giridih — 35-year-old Aziz Ansari, Afzal Ansari, 32-year-old Dilip Sahab, and 30-year-old Jamshed Ansari — have been reported missing after leaving for Baghmara. Their families claim they work in the mines but were blocked by police from approaching the suspected site.

Opposition Targets Govt Over Alleged Cover-Up

The political fallout has intensified. AJSU MP Choudhary alleged that coal mafia operatives confronted him at the site in full view of district officials. "The most concerning issue is that when I reached the incident site to inspect the matter, the coal mafia, in the presence of the administration, protested against us, which clearly shows the kind of influential protection these mafias are receiving, enabling them to repeatedly cause such incidents. If such behaviour can happen with a public representative, it is unimaginable what an ordinary person must go through. It was also learned that the mafia sealed the entrance of the illegal mining site overnight to suppress the matter," he posted on X, along with pics of the alleged illegal mine.

📍 राजकीय संरक्षण में हो रहे अवैध खनन न जाने कितनों की बलि लेगा?

विगत दिनों बाघमारा के केसरगढ़ा में कोयले के अवैध खनन के दौरान चाल धसने से 9 लोगो को मौत हो गई थी वहीं दर्जनों के दबे होने की आशंका हैं।

सुचना मिलते ही त्वरित होकर घटना स्थल पर पहुंचकर मुआयना किया एवं बाघमारा थाना… pic.twitter.com/PIJf6UjztL

— Chandra Prakash Choudhary (@CPChoudharyAJSU) July 23, 2025

JDU's Saryu Roy pointed out that illegal mining continues despite a heavy CISF presence in coal zones, calling it deeply worrying. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo echoed similar concerns, accusing the administration of trying to suppress the incident. Activist Bijay Jha also claimed that mafia groups had closed off access routes overnight to prevent outsiders from reaching the area.

Earlier this month, a CCL mine collapse allegedly killed 6 people during illegal mining operations.