6 killed, 4 injured in ‘rat-hole’ mine accident in Wokha

WOKHA — At least six workers from neighbouring Assam were killed and four others seriously injured after a fire reportedly broke out inside an illegal ‘rat-hole’ coal mine at Ruchanyan village in Wokha district.

The incident occurred in the afternoon of January 25, when the 10 workers were inside the colliery.

The fire and explosion was suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit as the miners were using rock breakers inside the rat hole, said the Additional SP and PRO of Wokha police.

All the deceased are reportedly residents of Sonapur in neighbouring Assam’s Golaghat district. Those injured were immediately shifted to Olive Hospital, Dimapur, for further medical treatment, the PRO said.

According to the official, the families of the victims were immediately informed about the tragic incident, after which the bodies of the deceased were claimed by the family members.

A compensation of INR 1 lakh each was assured to the family members of the deceased.

Meanwhile, taking into account the severity of the incident, a suo moto case has been registered at Bhandari Police Station under appropriate sections of the law, said the police officer.

Confirming that a case has been registered, Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, who is also the chairman of Wokha District Disaster Management Authority (WDDMA), said that the district administration has been checking such illegal activities in the district. The DC also cautioned those involved in such illegal activities to stop immediately.