Welcome to the official blog to NOSA's annual conference: NOSHCON 2010. The aim of this blog is to inform you, about the ins and outs of NOSHCON as we start the countdown to Africa's largest occupational risk management conference. We'll correspond with our valued speakers, discuss relevant health and safety matters and keep you updated on NOSHCON.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

India: Nine killed in mine

(Extract from Times of India)

JAIPUR: Nine labourers including four women were killed and 13 others injured when part of a soap stone mine collapsed in Parsoli area of Pratapgarh district on Friday. The incident occurred when rocks came sliding upon the workers, twice within an interval of 15 minutes.

A part of the mine collapsed around noon, burying three labourers. The others rushed to their rescue and a second rock came sliding down claiming five more lives. Fourteen injured labourers were rushed to Udaipur's M B Hospital. One of them succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital. The deceased, residents of nearby villages, were in the age group of 25 and 45 years.

Senior police and administration officers, including IG (Udaipur Range), rushed to the spot and immediately ordered rescue operations. Rescue work was started with help of residents of nearby villages. According to police, the mine called Jai Polymers Pvt Ltd is located about four kilometers from Parsoli on Sabla Road.
B K Mittal, SP (Pratapgarh) said that about 22 labourers were working in a 5-km-long tunnel when a part of it collapsed. "Most of them got buried. Eight dead bodies have been pulled out so far. Thirteen other injured have been rushed to MB Hospital in Udaipur," said the officer. "It took the administration about seven hours to pull out all the bodies. We are searching for more bodies that may be buried under the debris," he
added.

Mittal said that an FIR was being lodged against the mine owner and action will be taken against him in case of negligence. The officer said that they were investigating whether safety measures were being taken at the mine. Sources said chief minister Ashok Gehlot has also asked the police to launch an inquiry into the incident. A similar incident at a nearby mine, called Golachha, had claimed two lives a fortnight ago, claimed sources. Despite that, the administration did not ensure that other miners observed the stipulated safety measures.

Editor:  Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
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