Two youths died due to poisonous gas leak in a closed mine number 14-15 of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), Pench area, in Harrai Gram Panchayat under Parasia Assembly constituency, The bodies were taken out with the help of rescue team late in the evening. The bodies were sent for post-mortem after panchnama.

According to information, WCL Pench area mine was closed since last 15 years. Two youths, who went for illegal mining, died after inhaling poisonous gas.

The mine was closed but not completely so the nearby residents used to work in the tunnel to steal coal. Due to presence of gas in the mine, many times they became victims. Such incident has happened many times in the surrounding areas, even after that police administration is unable to stop illegal mining of coal. Because of which rural youths put their lives in jeopardy and risk their lives in greed of extracting more coal. WCL should have completely closed the mine after extracting coal. Due to negligence of WCL, no interest was shown in closing the mines.

Efforts were made to retrieve the body with the help of locals. But body could not be pulled out due to poisonous gas leak. After which the bodies were taken out by rescue operation and after making panchnama the bodies were sent for post-mortem.

Officers and staff of SDOP Parasia and WCL were present at the spot. Expressing displeasure over the rescue workers, Regional MLA Sohan Valmik reached the spot and got the bodies taken out under his supervision. An amount of Rs 5,000 was given to relatives of the deceased to perform the last rites.