Rajasthan: 14 Hindustan Copper officials rescued after mine lift collapses
What's the story
As many as 14 officials of Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) were successfully extricated from the Kolihan mine in Rajasthan's Neem Ka Thana district.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when a vertical shaft used for transporting personnel collapsed due to a snapped rope.
Trapped at a depth of 577meters inside the mine, the officials were rescued using a ladder and manual lift movement.
"All have been rescued," confirmed Dr. Mahendra Singh, part of the medical team on site.
Medical treatment
Injured officials hospitalized after mine rescue
Three of the rescued officials were severely injured and have been hospitalized in Jaipur.
According to Singh, these people sustained fractures and were immediately transported for medical attention.
Shishram, a nursing staff member at Jhunjhunu Government Hospital, further confirmed that "Some people have suffered fractures in hands and some in legs."
Despite the injuries, all rescued personnel are reported safe with the rest sustaining less serious injuries.
Trapped personnel
High-ranking officials among those trapped in mine
The collapsed lift was carrying a Kolkata vigilance team and mine officials, including Chief Vigilance Officer Upendra Pandey, Khetri Copper Complex (KCC) unit head GD Gupta, and Kolihan Mine's Deputy General Manager AK Sharma.
A journalist named Vikas Pareek, who had entered the mine as a photographer with the vigilance team, was also among those trapped.
Despite the high-stakes situation involving these key personnel, all were successfully rescued from the mine.
Official response
Government officials respond to mine collapse incident
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma instructed officials to immediately reach the site and expedite relief and rescue operations following the incident.
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Dharmpal Gurjar also arrived at the scene shortly after receiving news of the collapse.
"I had gone to Haryana for the election campaign, but when I got this information, I immediately came here," Gurjar told ANI.