Rescue and relief work underway after a lift collapsed at Kolihan mine, in Jhunjhunu.
Credit: PTI Photo
Jaipur: A senior officer died in the lift collapse at a Kolihan copper mine in Rajasthan’s Neem Ka Thana district today even as the disaster rescue team pulled out all 15 people, who got trapped inside the lift.
Chief Vigilance Officer Upendra Pandey has died, while 14 others have been admitted to hospitals for treatment.
The unfortunate incident took place at Hindustan Copper Limited’s Kolihan copper mines on Tuesday around 8 pm when the chain connected to the lift broke and it plunged 1875 feet inside the mine. The lift was carrying vigilance officials from Kolkata and mine officials and was in the process of returning when the chain snapped.
Rescue operations work had begun on Tuesday and continued through the morning today. A team of doctors and rescue officials with medicines and food items were sent down as soon as possible.
The officials were rescued in phases. Three officials were the first to come out around 8 am. Then five more were rescued in another hour. And then two came around around 10:30 am. Another four people were rescued around 12:30 pm but then the news of one of the officials having lost his life was received.
Eight of the officials have been admitted to Jaipur’s Manipal Hospital, who have suffered fractures in their legs. One of them is said to be in a critical situation, who would be operated upon.
Police officials said HCL would conduct a thorough investigation into the reasons behind the accident after registering a case.