A tragic incident in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district has resulted in the death of at least four people, with more feared trapped after a portion of a coal mine collapsed. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at Karma area during alleged illegal mining activities.

Reports indicate that the mine, located in the Karma Project-Sugiya zone of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), had been officially shut down by CCL just days prior. However, unauthorized mining activities continued, leading to the collapse. It is believed that some villagers were involved in the illegal mining of coal at the site. Initial reports suggest that 8 to 10 people are feared trapped under the debris.

Following the incident, an administrative team was dispatched to the site to conduct relief and rescue operations. According to Kuju Police Outpost in-charge Ashutosh Kumar Singh, one body has been recovered so far, and rescue operations are currently underway. Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner (DC) Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz stated that authorities received information about the incident in the morning and promptly sent a team to investigate the matter.

The incident has sparked protests by villagers near the CCL Karma Project office. Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand BJP chief, has called for a high-level investigation into the incident, alleging negligence by the state government.

This incident highlights the dangers associated with illegal mining activities, particularly in abandoned or closed mines. Despite the risks, some individuals and groups engage in unauthorized mining, often driven by economic necessity or the lure of quick profits. These illegal operations typically lack proper safety measures and oversight, making them prone to accidents and collapses. The full extent of the tragedy is still unfolding as rescue operations continue.