Chinese worker found dead at Barapukuria Coal Mine

A Chinese worker died after going missing while conducting an underground gas inspection at the Barapukuria Coal Mine in Parbatipur, Dinajpur.

The deceased was identified as Cheng Xiaojun, 43, who was recovered unconscious from underground after an approximately eight-hour rescue operation.

According to mine authorities, Cheng went underground at around 11PM on Monday (November 9), accompanied by two local workers, to carry out routine gas measurements.

At one point, he assigned the two workers to conduct gas inspections at separate locations and proceeded towards the seal wall of Face No. 1305. He subsequently went missing, prompting his colleagues to alert the surface control room.

A rescue team immediately launched an underground search operation. After nearly eight hours, Cheng was found unconscious beside the seal wall of Face No. 1305 at around 7AM on Tuesday (November 10).

He was rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

His body is currently being kept in the hospital's mortuary freezer. The concerned consortium has contacted his family and informed its office in China. The process of notifying local and police administrations is also underway.

Mine General Manager (Operations) Zafar Sadiq said further details would be available after an investigation into the incident.

The circumstances surrounding Cheng's death remain under investigation.