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.

Tehran/Doha, Sep 13: Iran and Oman have agreed on the details of new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz and will brief Gulf countries on the outcome of their consultations at a regional meeting in Muscat on Monday, Iranian officials said.

Citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said that the understanding was reached after “intensive technical and diplomatic talks between Iran and Oman, which culminated in a final agreement in late August.”

Under the understanding, the Gulf’s entry route “lies entirely within Iran’s territorial waters,” and a portion of the exit route also falls “within Iranian territorial waters,” the source said.

The source stressed that the route would operate under Iranian arrangements and the waterway’s southern route will be closed once the new system becomes operational, noting that the United States had insisted that the southern route must be opened.

“The understanding in no way means that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” the source said, adding that Iran has seven conditions for reopening the waterway and has conveyed them to the United States.

The source underlined that the waterway will remain closed unless those conditions are implemented, with reopening depending entirely on the US behavior, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Friday that Gulf littoral states’ foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Oman on Monday to exchange views on regional issues, including the Iran-Oman talks on designating safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to media on Saturday, Baghaei said the gathering would “hopefully” be attended by foreign ministers from Gulf states as well as Iran and Iraq.

“As part of the agenda, we are going to brief the delegations about the results of the Iran and Oman consultations regarding the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that the two countries had conducted the consultations as “the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Late last month, Iran and Oman said in a joint statement that they had exchanged views on a proposed phased framework that includes establishing a temporary joint shipping corridor in the strait.

Following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran restricted passage through the strategic waterway, while US forces imposed a naval blockade targeting vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Gulf with the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas shipments. Oman and Iran sit on opposite sides of the strait and have maintained consultations over maritime security and navigation in the strategic waterway.

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.