An accident occurred in '6&7 Pits' of Tata Steel’s Jamadoba coal mine around 6.30 p.m. on the 20th of February'04, where five employees were present around the site of incidence. Two of the employees came out and the other three of the employees got trapped in the mine due to inrush of water. Though exact details of the reasons for the incident are not available immediately, the rescue and recovery work began immediately after the incident was reported to the mine authorities. The de-watering of the area is on progress and likely to be completed by this evening.

The employees, Vishal Mishra, Ajit Singh, Mrinal Bhadra (all officers), Bindeshwari Singh, Mining Sirdar, and Abhay Nath Jha, Overman, (both Supervisors) had entered the 11 seam of 6&7 Pits of the Jamadoba mine for inspection, when water rushed through a drill hole in the mine wall. Mrinal Bhadra was outside that area and A.N. Jha could escape but the others are still trapped. The three-trapped employees may have taken refuge in an air pocket and efforts are on to get them out. It may be noted that the affected part of the mine was not being worked.

This is further to the information given by Tata Steel to all members of the media last night. Despite the Company's information given last night a number of media carried reports relying on rumours and unconfirmed news in TV as well as print, that about 16 to 90 employees were trapped in the mine. This is to confirm that these reports are entirely wrong and were not based on facts. Some of the media have even reported that the trapped employees had died.

The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police as well as members of the DGMS immediately rushed to the spot where Tata Steel officials were already engaged in rescue operations. Tata Steel is well equipped to handle such exigencies and such incidents have not happened in any of its mines in recent times.