The coal roof of an abandoned mining patch of a BCCL outsourced company in Katras collapsed on Monday injuring four miners.

The miners were rescued by their family members and admitted to different private hospitals.

The incident took place three days after a crater developed in the backyard of a government primary school in Kuhunka village of Nirsa allegedly due to illegal mining.

Rajkumar Das, a local resident, said, “Though more than 50 persons were working at the site when a coal heap suddenly collapsed, six were buried of which four were injured but were taken out from the rubbles by other co-workers and their family members.”

Another local resident requesting anonymity said, “Illegal mining like other parts of the district are also prevalent at various abandoned mining sites of Katras and people risk their life to excavate coal in unscientific manner leading to frequent leading to loss of life or injury to the persons.”

The mining companies are being held responsible for not sealing their sites in a permanent manner leading to illegal mining activities.

Baghmara DSP, Nisha Murmu, said, “We have not received any information with the regard to the incident but if any incident has taken place we will investigate the issue.”