In a tragic incident, five workers died and several others are trapped in an opencast coal mine at Rajmahal area of Central Coalfields Ltd in Jharkhand’s Godda district after coal mine collapsed on Thursday.

“Rescuers pulled out five bodies of workers trapped in the mine so far. A rescue operation is still on. Bodies have not been identified,” Sanjay Singh, in-charge, general manager, Rajmahal Opencast Project was quoted as saying in a Hindustan Times report.

"Land collapsed at the mine in Godda district at around 7.30 PM last night when excavators and tippers were working there. Rescue operations were launched immediately," R R Mishra, CMD of CCL said.

He said, "at least three excavators and seven tippers were among those trapped, adding that nothing could be said immediately about the fate of the workers until the debris is removed."

Unofficial sources, however, said that "it could be anywhere between 10 to 15 persons."

He said that "rescue operations were on in full swing. Director General of Mines Safety and higher officials of CCL were there to supervise the rescue operation, Mishra said adding that he is also rushing to the site."

Chief Minister Raghubar Das said that "I have directed speedy rescue and relief efforts. All senior officials have been asked to stay at the site."

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BY M. DIVYA SRI