New Delhi: 14 members of a vigilance team who were trapped in a mine in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district were rescued on Wednesday morning, while one dies. Fifteen officials of the Hindustan Copper Limited got trapped in a mine Tuesday night when a vertical shaft used to carry the personnel collapsed. 

The Police said few of the members of team suffered injuries and have been referred to Jaipur for further treatment. 

ASP Neemkathana Zulfikar Ali said, "There were a total of 14 people. All have been taken out, 14 people have been hospitalised and one person died in the incident. Some of the injured have been referred to Jaipur. Investigation will be done on the basis of the case filed..."

What Happened at Kolihan mine 

At least 15 officers and members of a vigilance team of Hindustan Copper Limited were trapped in a mine in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district after lift malfunctioned on Tuesday night. Rescue operations are underway to bring out the personnel who are stuck at a depth of several hundred metres at the Kolihan mine.

The vertical shaft used for transportation of personnel malfunctioned at Kolihan mine in Rajasthan's Neem ka Thana district. According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when the vigilance team along with senior officials of the company went down the shaft for an inspection.

When they were about to come up, a rope of the shaft or 'cage' broke due to which around 14 persons were stuck, the police said. A mining staff said that the rescue operation is underway, reported PTI. All those who were trapped are safe, said media reports. Ambulances have been rushed to the spot and doctors have been asked to prepare for any situation, reported ANI.

Khetri MLA Dharmpal Gurjar reached the site and took stock of the situation. He said that around 7 ambulances are on the spot and rescue operation is underway to bring out the trapped personnel. There has been nno casulaty so far, said Dharmpal Gurjar.

"I had gone to Haryana for election campaign but when I got this information, I immediately came here. I called everyone and took stock of the entire situation. I have called the SDM here. The rescue team is engaged and 6-7 ambulances are standing here... The entire administration is on alert. There is no report of any casualty so far, definitely everyone will come out safely," said BJP MLA Dharmpal Gurjar, as quoted by ANI.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, in a post on X, informed that senior officials have been instructed to monitor the rescue operations from the spot.  "Information was received about an accident caused by breakage of the lift rope in the Kolihan mine of Hindustan Copper Limited in Khetri, Jhunjhunu. The concerned officials have been instructed to immediately reach the spot and speed up the relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help and health facilities to the affected people..." said Sharma. 

Rescue Ops Underway 

Three persons were rescued and taken out of the mine in the first round and five more were taken out in the second round. Neem ka Thana Collector Sharad Mehra told reporters that remaining persons would also be taken out in around two hours.

Dr Mahendra Singh, a part of the medical team, said the three rescued were sent to a hospital. Efforts are on to bring the remaining 12 out. "All have been rescued. Of them, three have been taken out of the mine and sent to hospital. They have fractures," he said.

 “All the people trapped in the mine have been rescued safely. Three of them were in serious condition and have been referred to Jaipur,” said Dr Pravin Sharma of the Jhunjhunu Government Hospital. Nursing Staff of Jhunjhunu Government Hospital, Shishram said “Some people have suffered fractures in hands and some in legs. Everyone is safe. Three people are seriously injured, the rest are safe. The rescue operation was done with the help of a ladder.” 

Further details are awaited in the matter.