Newton Chikli Colliery disaster

The Newton Chikli Colliery disaster, Chhindwara (M.P.), India occurred on 10 December 1954. This incident occurred due to flooding of the mine caused by inrush of water from old workings of the same mine. Total 63 persons were entrapped and got drowned.

Cause

The working was abandoned in 1933 at one seem. A substantial quantity of water had accumulated in the abandoned workings between 1933 and 1954. New working was started below 13 metres of this seem. The new workings in Bottom seam got connected with the old water-logged workings and water rushed in to the new workings, flooding the same . The old workings had not been shown correctly on the plan. The management was not aware that the new workings had approached so close to the abandoned workings.^[1]

There were 112 persons inside the mine when it was inundated. 49 persons managed to effect their escape through the incline; the remaining 63 persons were entrapped and drowned.

See also

• List of wars and disasters by death toll: Flood disasters
• National Geographic Seconds From Disaster episodes

References