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Suspected Gas Leak in Dhanbad Coal Belt Kills Two as Authorities Evacuate Homes

Officials have opened a probe, with hundreds moved to temporary shelters pending post-mortem confirmation of the cause.

Overview

  • Two women, Priyanka Devi and Lalita Devi, died within 24 hours in Kenduadih, with final cause to be established by post-mortem reports.
  • Dozens have reported illness and several were hospitalised as the smell spread across Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla and Officer Colony.
  • The district administration and BCCL began relocating residents, with tents, ambulances and health teams deployed and roughly 1,000 people slated for shifting.
  • Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan ordered an investigation and convened BCCL, DGMS and health officials, while BCCL said gas emission points have been plugged.
  • Residents blocked the Dhanbad–Ranchi highway demanding relocation, citing long-running underground coal fires and earlier eviction notices that did not result in resettlement.