T accounts for nearly 70% of serious coal mine accidents in India | Hyderabad News

T accounts for nearly 70% of serious coal mine accidents in India

Hyderabad: Telangana accounted for nearly 70% of all serious accidents reported in coal mines across India in 2025, raising concerns over safety practices in the state’s mining operations, according to data recently tabled in the Lok Sabha.Of the 119 serious accidents recorded across coal mines in the country’s nine coal-bearing states in 2025, Telangana alone accounted for 80. The numbers for the three-year period from 2023 to 2025 were particularly disturbing, with the state recording 233 of the 355 serious coal mine accidents reported nationally — nearly two-thirds of the total. These accidents left 235 workers injured.According to Ministry of Mines data, workers suffered injuries ranging from complete loss of sight or hearing and permanent physical impairment to fractures. The accidents were attributed to various factors, including falls from height, impact from flying objects and explosives, landslides, failure of ropes, chains and suspension gear, and accidents involving dumpers, drilling machines and power cables.During the same period, the state also recorded a significant share of fatal accidents — six deaths in six accidents in 2023, followed by eight deaths in 2024 and three in 2025. Overall, Telangana accounted for 17 of the 141 fatalities reported in coal mines across India between 2023 and 2025.Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) officials said one reason for the high numbers was the state’s accurate and comprehensive reporting of accidents. They said even accidents that do not result in fatalities are promptly recorded when workers suffer injuries.“Around 90% of accidents are due to human negligence or non-adherence to safety laws and standard operating procedures, while a smaller proportion is linked to disasters and other circumstances,” said K Saibabu, general manager (safety), SCCL, adding how safety protocols are prescribed for every activity, from scavenging and surface operations to highly specialised mining work. “But standard operating procedures and personal protective equipment alone cannot eliminate accidents unless workers adhere to prescribed procedures,” he said.