Four persons died after allegedly inhaling toxic gases inside an abandoned coal mine in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district on Saturday, bringing renewed attention to the persistent problem of illegal mining activities in disused coal blocks across the state’s coal-bearing regions.
The incident occurred in the Chapri-Bumri area of the Ramgarh forest region, where the victims had reportedly entered a closed mine to extract coal. Rescue teams later recovered them from the underground pit and shifted them to Ramgarh Sadar Hospital.
Hospital authorities confirmed that all four succumbed to suspected gas exposure and oxygen deficiency. Two were declared dead on arrival, while the other two died during treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Deva Kumar Bedia and Dablu Bedia of Chhotki Tungi Sirka Argadda, and Ashish Rajwar and Kishore Ravani of Sirka Budh Bazar.
Officials associated with the rescue operation said preliminary findings indicated the presence of toxic gases and inadequate oxygen levels inside the abandoned mine. A detailed investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
Sub-Divisional Officer Krishna Murari Tirkey and Executive Magistrate Ambika Kumari supervised the post-mortem examinations, which were conducted under videography. A team of doctors has been constituted to carry out the autopsies.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers posed by abandoned mines scattered across Jharkhand’s coalfields. Areas around Ramgarh, Giddi, Argadda and neighbouring coal belts have long witnessed sporadic incidents of illegal coal extraction despite periodic enforcement drives by authorities and coal companies.
Local residents said several abandoned mines in the region remain vulnerable to unauthorised entry, often by people attempting to collect or extract coal for livelihood purposes. Such activities frequently expose individuals to risks ranging from cave-ins and flooding to toxic gas accumulation.
Officials have appealed to residents not to enter abandoned mines and warned that illegal mining remains a major safety concern. Police have stepped up surveillance in the area following the incident.
The latest deaths are likely to revive questions about monitoring mechanisms around disused mines and the effectiveness of measures aimed at preventing unauthorised mining activities in Jharkhand’s coal-producing districts.