Ranchi, Sep 13: Three people were killed, and several others are feared trapped under debris after an illegal coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand Dhanbad district on Sunday morning, Vimalesh Chaubey, Regional President of the National Colliery Mazdoor Union, said.

The accident took place at around 7 a.m. in Keshalpur Kumharpatti, located in the Ramkanali OP area of Katras in Dhanbad district.

According to Chaubey, a number of men and women had entered the illegal mine tunnel to cut and collect coal when the upper portion of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, trapping several people beneath the debris.

“Some men and women had gone into the illegal tunnel to cut and pick coal. The upper part of the tunnel suddenly collapsed, burying several people under the debris. Following the accident, nearby villagers rushed to the scene and began removing the debris using spades, pickaxes, and other tools. We know that three people are confirmed dead,” Chaubey said.

He said that three injured people were also rescued from the site and subsequently admitted to a local nursing home for treatment.

Chaubey added that locals fear that several more people could still be trapped beneath the debris following the collapse. The possibility of additional people being buried under the rubble has led to intensified rescue efforts at the site.

According to reports, illegal coal extraction has been taking place through tunnels in the area, with coal extracted from these unauthorised mines reportedly being transported and sold in nearby markets using motorcycles.

At the time of the accident, people had reportedly entered the tunnel to cut and collect coal in a similar manner when the structure suddenly gave way, resulting in the collapse and trapping those inside.

Following the incident, police reached the spot and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the mine collapse.

Authorities are also monitoring the rescue operation as efforts continue to determine whether more people remain trapped under the debris.

Amaravati, Sep 13: Two people died of lightning in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district as heavy rains lashed parts of the state since Saturday night under the impact of a low-pressure area, officials said.

Heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms lashed Narsraopet in Palnadu district. One person each in Petlurivaripalem and Lakshmipuram villages died after hearing the frightening noise of the thunderstorm.

The deceased were identified as Nagamma (63) and Mekala Venkayamma (60). Both suspected to have died of cardiac arrest.

Heavy rains were lashing Visakhapatnam and Gajuwaka areas. Parts of East Godavari district also received heavy rains. Bus stand at Nidadavole was inundated, causing inconvenience to commuters.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, a low-pressure area is centred over the Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh regions. The APSDMA said in a bulletin on Sunday morning that it is likely to move in a west-northwest direction over the next 24 hours and is expected to cause moderate to heavy rains in isolated parts of the state.

Gusty winds with a speed of 40-60 kmph are likely along the North Andhra coast. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.

Rain accompanied by lightning is likely in some areas of Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Nandyal, and Kurnool districts.

APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain has advised people not to stand under trees or hoardings during lightning and gusty winds. He also urged them not to attempt to cross overflowing streams or canals,

State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha has advised people and officials to remain on alert in view of the rain forecast.

She said people should avoid crossing overflowing streams or canals. She also asked officials to prohibit movement of vehicles in the vulnerable areas.

The Home Minister directed police and revenue department officials to remain accessible in affected areas.

The rains, under the impact of a low-pressure area, however, provided some relief to people from the heat.

The state has recorded nearly 60 per cent less rainfall deficit this year. Heat has gripped much of the state, with day temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius at many places.

According to Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Information and Management System (APWRIMS), from January 1 to September 9, the state received 236.51 mm of rain against a normal of 578.58 mm, a shortfall of 59.12 per cent.

New Delhi, Sep 13: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday departed from New Delhi after attending the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India.

Xi Jinping participated in the two-day BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He joined leaders of BRICS member countries in a joint tree plantation drive in New Delhi. Xi and leaders of other BRICS member countries visited Bharat Innovates Exposition at Bharat Mandapam.

During his visit to India, Xi also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders emphasised that “differences should not become disputes” and reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long-term perspective of their ties.

“The two leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025. They reaffirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long term perspective of their ties. Differences should not become disputes. Prime Minister highlighted that both sides must be guided by three mutuals- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest,” read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the meeting.

During the meeting, PM Modi stressed that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remain an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations.

“He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues. The two leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples,” the MEA statement added.

Both leaders also took note of the progress in people-to-people ties and underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries.

“On economic and trade relations, they underlined the need to address each other’s concerns, including structural trade imbalance and supply chain issues, and facilitation of meaningful and predictable market access,” the statement read further.

According to the MEA, the two leaders agreed that both sides must continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues, and in addressing challenges.

“Prime Minister appreciated China’s support for India’s BRICS chairship and its contributions towards the success of the BRICS Summit-2026,” it concluded.