Intro
Eight workers trapped 2,200 feet underground at Hutti Gold Mines due to lift short circuit, facing oxygen shortage and fainting
Raichur
Panic gripped the Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited after a short circuit in a lift left eight workers trapped nearly 2,200 feet underground for over two hours.
According to sources, the incident occurred around 11:30 PM when workers on the night shift were descending into the mine through the Central Shaft lift. Due to a sudden electrical fault, the cage came to a halt deep inside the mine. Six workers were trapped in the lower section of the lift, while two others were stuck in the upper section. Inside the lift, workers reportedly faced acute oxygen shortage, leading to three of them fainting. Others complained of breathing difficulties and dizziness, worsened by the absence of drinking water.
Upon receiving information, electrical section foremen and staff rushed to the spot and rectified the short circuit. The lift was restored after nearly two-and-a-half hours, and all trapped workers were safely brought to the surface and immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. Following the incident, labour union leaders including S.M. Shafi, Venkob Miyyapur, Ghouse Miya, Ramesh Babu, Siddappa Mundargi, Hanumanth Gowda, Jamadagni, Nagaraj, Gundappa Gowda, and Chandrashekhar Nelogi visited the hospital and enquired about the health of the injured workers. The incident has raised serious concerns among workers, who have urged the management to strengthen safety measures within the mine to prevent such accidents in the future.