32 Coal Miners Feared Dead in India Accident

The chances of survival were dwindling for 32 coal miners trapped for two days after an accident, an Indian mining official said Sunday(Feb.4).

A total of 51 miners were in the state-owned Bagdigi mine in eastern India's Jharkhand state when water broke through a wall and rushed in from an adjoining mine Friday. Nineteen miners escaped.

Rescue efforts continued, but it is unlikely the 32 still trapped could survive because of a high concentration of poisonous gas inside the mine, said R.B. Singh, president of the All India Mining Personnel Association.

``I fear the worst has happened,'' Singh said.

He said rescuers with the Indian navy detected the gas Sunday while they were trying to reach the area where the miners were believed to be trapped.

The mine is about 620 miles southeast of New Delhi.






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