The trapped workers were working nearly 175m from the surface after the roof of the mine, which supports a water body, reportedly gave way after miners carried out explosions. It is believed 32 workers managed to escape after the explosion was heard.

 

The Central Coal Fields’ Saunda mine in Bansgarha was re-opened in December after being abandoned five years ago, apparently because of ongoing seepage from adjacent workings.

 

Minister of state for coal and mines Dasari Narayana Rao ordered an inquiry after visiting the accident site, saying those found guilty would be given “maximum punishment”.

 

The two pumps available at the colliery could not handle the dewatering task and more powerful pumps were requisitioned from as far as Bokaro and Hazaribagh, both more than 70km away.

 

A similar accident took the lives of 11 miners at the same location in 1976.

 

According to unconfirmed reports, while 27m of rock separated the two seams, there was concern about the neighbouring mine, which was not being dewatered through borehole pumps.

 

When the roof collapsed, cracks would have developed in the rocks separating the seams, through which water would have rushed.

 

On entering the mine, rescuers could go no more than a few yards where they found a helmet and a pair of shoes floating.