January 14, 2026
NEW DELHI – At least three people were killed while two others were safely evacuated after a coal mine collapsed in West Bengal’s Asansol, BJP MLA Ajay Poddar said on Tuesday.
According to Poddar, a landslide was reported in the mining area 12 BCCL border patch at around 7.45 am in the morning.
At least five people were trapped but two were rescued. Tragically, three others cpuld not be saved and their bodies were later recovered from the site.
“Today, a landslide was reported in the Area 12 BCCL border patch at around 7:45 AM. Five people were reported trapped. Two have been rescued and sent to the hospital, while one person has died…,” he said.
The BJP leader claimed that coal was being extracted from a rathole and alleged the involvement of mafia.
“They were extracting coal from rathole. This is a syndicate. Central force, Police and mafia is involved. It is the villagers who die. This is prevalent across Bengal…,” he alleged.
ED moves SC seeking CBI probe against Mamata for obstructing I-PAC raids
The incident comes dyas after the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids in connection with a 2020 case of alleged coal smuggling.
The ED carried out searches at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC, co-founded by TMC IT cell head Pratik Jain.
The raids resulted in a massive political row after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the raid site and removed some documents.
The ED moved the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe against what the agency claimed was an attempt to intervene and obstruct its investigation.