NDRF Yet to Begin Rescue Operations as Exact Location Remains Unidentified

DHANBAD/GIRIDIH/RANCHI: A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), deployed to rescue miners allegedly trapped during illegal mining in an abandoned coal mine in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, is yet to begin operations, as the exact location of the incident remains unidentified, officials said on Thursday.

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The NDRF was mobilized on Wednesday after Giridih MP CP Choudhary staged a dharna at Baghmara police station, demanding immediate rescue operations following reports of a mine collapse.

Despite mounting allegations, officials from Dhanbad district administration, BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited), and police claimed that no signs of any such incident have been found so far.

"The rescue operation could not be started till 1:30 pm as the exact location of the mishap is yet to be found. The Dhanbad administration and BCCL are also not able to identify it," an NDRF official said.

Choudhary, however, submitted a list of five people allegedly trapped after the roof of a mine reportedly collapsed during illegal mining activities on Tuesday evening.