Dhanbad: A sudden gouf (ground collapse) formed at Basudevpur Colliery, and gas leakage has put 20,000 people at risk.

In the Loyabad area of Dhanbad, near the Basudevpur Colliery of BCCL's Sijua region, a sinkhole suddenly formed in the ground on Friday afternoon. After the sinkhole formed, there was a continuous, heavy release of gas from it. Following the incident, panic spread in the surrounding area.

The sinkhole formed in the middle of an open field, and so far no loss of life or property has occurred. However, the nearly 20,000 residents of Ekra Jharkhand Mor, Mahto Basti, Harijan Basti, Ekra Pul, and Ekra Babu Quarters have begun to face the threat.

Colliery Secretary Dinesh Ravani blamed the negligence of BCCL management for the incident. He said that after mining, sand was not properly backfilled, due to which an underground fire is spreading and gas is leaking because of the rain. The management has assured that the sinkhole will be filled soon.