Gem mine collapses killing two

16 December 2010 12:15 pm - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Two miners were killed and five otheres were injured when seven men digging up a gem pit at Puhulwella in Kirinda were buried under a mound of earth that collapsed accidentally this evening. Thihagoda police with the help of the Army and the residents of the area evacuated six men, one of them in a critical condition, and admitted to the Matara Hospital.

Police took about four hours to evacuate the six men who were buried about five feet under the earth mound. They had dug up to the gem pit to a depth of about 30 feet when the mound of earth collapsed. One of those injured in the incident was the owner of the gem pit.

They had been digging up the gem pit for about two weeks on a license obtained from relevant authorities. The men were working at the bottom of the gem pit at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile a large crowed of more than 1000 people had gathered at the scene. Police had hired back-hoes and other machinery to remove the mound of earth and to evacuate the other man. The rescue operation is presently underway to find the other missing young man. (Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

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Comments - 4

Konde bendapu china Thursday, 16 December 2010 12:31 PM

Gem mine Kirinda oh must be illegal one

Hideout Thursday, 16 December 2010 02:16 PM

these are natural resource who makes legal and illegal

Faqi Thursday, 16 December 2010 06:11 PM

It is very sad that the Government does not enact safety standards for digging gem pits (mining),. It looks like they were lucky that there were army personnel & residents who came to their rescue.

Mining Engineer Friday, 17 December 2010 02:23 AM

The miners could have done there mine through mining engineer.Because there are many methods and miners consider at least basic geological features as well

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Gem mine collapses killing two

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