West Bengal: At least 7 dead in coal mine blast

A blast at a coal mine in West Bengal's Birbhum district killed seven workers and injured several on Monday. The state government announced compensation for the affected families and a job as a home guard for one member of each. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and legality of the operations.

By Jayatri Nag, ET Bureau

At least seven workers have been killed and several others injured in a severe blast on Monday at a coal mine owned by a private entity in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. The West Bengal government announced compensation for the families, whose kin have died in today’s accident.

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State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said, “The incident is unfortunate. There is loss of livelihood for the families. There is no compensation for the losses but in order to support them, Rs 30 lakh compensation will be given to the families and Rs 2 lakh for the accidental death. One family member will get a job as a home guard from the state government.”

According to sources, many of the workers were extremely critical and were shifted to a local hospital and they are undergoing treatment there.”