Uncertainty surrounds Indian mine collapse

The mine had been abandoned several years ago

Hundreds of people have gathered at the site of a collapsed mine in the Indian state of West Bengal after reports that 100 miners may be trapped inside.

However, police in the area say they have no reports so far of anyone missing, and it remains unclear if there are any casualties.

The authorities are said to be reluctant to mount full-scale rescue operations because the mine had been abandoned and anyone mining coal there would have been doing so illegally.

Local officials say they also lack the equipment and expertise required for the rescue operation.

Illegal mine

Some parts of the Ranibandh mine, which is in a major coal-producing region in West Bengal, collapsed late on Wednesday.

The mine had been abandoned several years ago by a state-owned coal company.

But local residents say an alleged criminal was running the mine illegally.

They say hundreds of miners were sent into the Ranibandh mine every night.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says subsidence is a major problem in West Bengal's coal-producing region of Asansol.

Mines abandoned by state-owned coal companies are apparently not effectively sealed and reports say that illegal mining continues unchecked, allegedly with the connivance of local officials.

Hundreds of miners who were laid off when the mines were shut down were believed to be continuing to work there, risking their personal safety.

Mine flood

Last February, at least 14 miners died when a government-run mine flooded in the eastern state of Jharkhand.

Three officials of the government-run coal company were suspended soon afterwards for allegedly overlooking safety measures.