A Chinese worker died and a local child was seriously injured in two separate incidents at the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur on Tuesday, raising concerns over safety measures at the mining site.
The deceased has been identified as Mr. Wang, 30, a Chinese national working at the underground mine. The accident occurred around 5:00 PM while equipment was being transferred from Phase 1305 to a new section of the mine.
During the operation, Mr. Wang became entangled with a steel rope connected to hydraulic support machinery. In an attempt to free him, another worker pulled the rope, inadvertently trapping Mr. Wang under the heavy equipment.
He was immediately rescued and transported to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
The Barapukuria Coal Mine authorities stated that the Chinese consortium involved in the mining operations would proceed with funeral arrangements according to their procedures.
In a separate incident earlier that day, a 10-year-old boy named Elias Hossain was severely injured when an unexploded detonator went off.
According to family sources, Elias brought home a discarded detonator from the mine`s yard and connected its wires to a mobile phone battery. The device exploded shortly afterward, causing the loss of three fingers on his right hand.
He was first taken to the Fulbari Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Elias is the son of Ashraful Islam and a resident of Chouhati village, located near the mine.
Confirming both incidents, the Managing Director of the Barapukuria Coal Mine, Engineer Saiful Islam Sarkar, stated that a four-member investigation committee has been formed to probe the child’s injury. He also assured that full medical support will be provided to the injured child.
