In a tragic landslide on Saturday, four people were killed and while many are feared trapped after a portion of stone mine crashed down on them at Haryana's Bhiwani's Dadam mining area in Tosham Tehsil.
According to Haryana Agriculture Minister JP Dalal, three people have been rescued so far while 15 to 20 people are feared trapped along with more than half a dozen vehicles.
In a tragic landslide on Saturday, four people were killed and while many are feared trapped after a portion of stone mine crashed down on them at Haryana's Bhiwani's Dadam mining area in Tosham Tehsil.
According to police, half-a-dozen dumper trucks and some machines were buried under the debris caused by the landslide which occurred around 9 am in Tosham block.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said several rescue teams have been pressed into service for the rescue work.
“I am deeply saddened over the incident that took place at the mining site in Bhiwani district of Haryana. The rescue operation is being run by the administration. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team from Ghaziabad, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) from Madhuban and an Army unit from Hisar have been called. So far four people have died,” said Vij in a tweet.
Bhiwani Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Raghuvir Shandilya said that the deceased have been identified as Toofan Sharma (30), a native of Bihar, and Binder (23), who hailed from Baganwala in Haryana's Jind district.
Haryana Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Twitter, "Saddened by the unfortunate landslide accident in Dadam mining zone at Bhiwani. I am in constant touch with the local administration to ensure swift rescue operations and immediate assistance to the injured,"
Haryana Agriculture Minister JP Dalal has reached the site to take a stock of the situation.
"Three people have been rescued and sent to hospital. We are making all efforts to save lives," he said.
The exact reason of the stone mine collapse is yet to be ascertained.
The workers were reportedly travelling to another site when the landslide took place and they got trapped in their vehicles.
Dadam mining area and Khanak Pahari have been witnessing large scale mining activities after the National Green Tribunal lifted its ban on mining work in the area.
Previously, two-month ban was imposed by the green court to put a check on pollution which was lifted on Thursday and the mining work resumed only on Friday.
(With PTI Inputs)