The sudden collapse of a roof at Central Coalfields’ Churi underground coal mine has trapped more than 115 workers inside for six hours.

According to the Times of India, workers finally managed to escape from the dispatch exit from where coal is transported to the washery.

The incident at the mine in Khalari coalfields in the Ranchi District of Indian State of Jharkhand took place when the first shift was underway.

"They were asked not to panic and were guided out through the emergency exit."

Churi coalfields mining manager SS Prasad told the newspaper that prior to the incident a leakage was observed by a worker on the roof while getting inside the mine.

Prasad said: "The miners, who were at least 1.5km inside the mine, were immediately relayed the information through wireless service. They were asked not to panic and were guided out through the emergency exit."

Coal India (CIL) subsidiary Central Coalfields currently has 63 mines (26 underground, 37 open-cast) in areas of East Bokaro, West Bokaro, North Karanpur, South Karanpur, Ramgarh and Giridih.

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Their facilities include seven coal preparation plants, three for non-coking coal, and four for medium coking coal.

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