Four killed as roof of mine collapses

HYDERABAD: Four persons were killed when the roof of an underground mine of the state-owned Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) collapsed on Sunday at Kothagudem in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh, company officials said.

Earlier, the SCCL officials quoting preliminary reports reaching its headquarters here, said six persons, including a South African national were dead and 13 injured.

According to the latest information available with the top officials of the company, only four persons were killed and only two bodies of Sudheer Babu and Ramchander were retrieved, while two more bodies that of Ramanujam and P Butchaiah were yet to be recovered.

However, the South African national Thomas and Pratap Sharma, who are employed with the UK-based Joy Company and who were earlier reported trapped in the debris, came out from the mine safely, the official told PTI tonight.

About 20 workers were in the mine when the accident took place between 9 am and 9.30 am, T R K Rao, Executive Director, SCCL said.