Illegal Mining Disaster in Alwar: Excavator and Operator Trapped in Deep Pit
A devastating accident at an illegal mining site in Alwar district has left rescue teams struggling to retrieve an excavator machine and its operator from a deep, water-filled pit. The incident occurred on Friday evening in Odela village under the Ramgarh police station area, highlighting the dangers of unauthorized mining operations.
Hill Collapse Triggers Tragedy
According to eyewitness accounts, loud blast sounds were heard shortly before a significant portion of a hill collapsed from approximately 300 feet in height. Villagers reported that around 50,000 tonnes of debris and stones came crashing down, completely engulfing a Poclain excavator machine and its operator. The collapse created a water-filled pit estimated to be about 100 feet deep, into which both the machine and operator sank without a trace.
Challenging Rescue Operations
Rescue efforts faced immediate obstacles as police and administrative officials who reached the spot after the accident encountered high hills, deep pits, and inadequate lighting arrangements that prevented immediate action. It wasn't until Saturday morning around 9am that specialized teams could begin operations.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with professional divers, worked throughout Saturday attempting to retrieve the man's body and the machine. However, officials confirmed that extraction from the deep, water-filled pit proved extremely challenging and remained unsuccessful by Saturday evening.
Illegal Mining Operations Exposed
Ramgarh DSP Pintu Kumar revealed that illegal mining had been ongoing at the site where the mining lease had been closed several years ago. The mining department was only informed about the illegal activity after the tragic accident occurred. According to villagers, the mining operations had been conducted at night to evade detection, continuing for an extended period despite the expired lease.
Tehsildar Ankit Gupta, who was present at the site during Saturday's rescue operation, confirmed that the people carrying out the illegal mining had fled immediately after the accident. This has complicated investigation efforts and raised questions about regulatory oversight in the area.
Victim Identified
Villagers identified the operator as Ramanand Tiwari, a resident of Buxar district in Bihar. Family members have been informed about the tragedy and are expected to reach the site. The identification highlights how illegal mining operations often employ workers from distant regions, adding another layer of complexity to the tragedy.
The incident underscores the persistent problem of illegal mining in the region and the grave risks associated with such unauthorized operations. As rescue teams continue their efforts, questions remain about how such activities could continue undetected for so long near residential areas.
