An explosion at a coal mine in India’s West Bengal claimed the lives of at least seven workers on Monday morning.

The blast, which occurred at the Gangaramchak Mining Private Limited (GMPL) colliery in Birbhum's Bhadulia village, left several others injured and sparked widespread unrest in the local area, reports Anandabazar Patrika.

The explosion occurred while workers were breaking coal inside the mine. Local sources reported that the bodies of the victims were severely mutilated due to the intensity of the blast. Rescue operations are still underway to retrieve any remaining trapped workers, and the injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, it said.

Primary investigations suggested that the explosion may have been caused by negligence during the blasting process used for coal extraction. It is believed that explosives were overloaded onto a single truck, a deviation from the usual practice of using two trucks for transport. This has raised questions about safety lapses at the mine.

As news of the accident spread, senior officials and personnel from GMPL reportedly fled the scene. The police arrived shortly after and began their investigation.

However, local residents, angered by the tragedy, have gathered at the site, blocking authorities from removing the bodies. Tension has escalated across the coal mine area, with large crowds expressing outrage over the incident, added the report.