The explosion at Monday’s Khoirasole coal mine in Birbhum has claimed two more lives, bringing its death toll to eight.

“A few remains of the two bodies were recovered on Monday. Two families claimed that their loved ones were also present at the spot and died. We have decided
to send the samples of those two bodies for DNA testing to confirm their identities,” said a senior state government official.

Senior officials, led by Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam, reached Khoirasole on Tuesday evening with the bodies of six coal mine workers who were killed on Monday when a truck laden with explosives detonated.

Three others, who were injured and admitted to Suri District Hospital, were stable, a doctor said.

Officials handed over compensation of ₹32 lakh to each bereaved family.

“We stand with the families of the victims of this unfortunate explosion, according to the instructions of chief minister Mamata Banerjee,” said Islam.

“We handed over compensation cheques to the bereaved families,” said Islam, who also chairs the West Bengal Migrant Workers’
Development Board.

The state government has also announced a job for a member of each deceased family.

A source said the police have launched an independent investigation to determine the actual cause of the explosion. A team of forensic experts also visited the site.

On Tuesday, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar visited the Suri hospital and meet the injured workers.

Local BJP MLA Anup Saha told reporters that he planned to write to the Union home ministry, demanding an NIA investigation into the explosion.