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One Dead, 29 Injured After Gold Mine Collapses In Australia’s Victoria

One miner has died after the Ballarat Gold Mine collapse in Australia's, Victoria. The incident, which experts believe "could have been avoided", has left 29 others injured, with one in critical condition.

TN World Desk

Updated Mar 14, 2024, 06:45 IST

Melbourne: One miner has died after the Ballarat Gold Mine collapse in Australia's, Victoria. The incident, which experts believe "could have been avoided", has left 29 others injured, with one in critical condition.

The incident occurred at about 4:50 PM local time on Wednesday at the Ballarat Gold Mine. Around 30 miners were working three kilometres away from the entrance of the gold mine when the collapse took place.

Officials have revealed that 28 of the miners managed to make it to the safety pods inside the mines and were pulled out to the surface. However, two of the miners had been pinned down by fallen rocks around 500m underground.

One of the miners, 21-year-old from Ballarat, was freed from under the rock and flown out to Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. The miner remains in a critical condition.

The other miner who was pinned down was identified as a 37-year-old man from Bruthen, who died from his injuries.

An investigation has been launched into the death of the miner and the collapse. As per the Victorian branch of the Australian Workers Union, Secretary Ronnie Hayden has said that the man’s death “could have been avoided”.

Hayden added that the workers had been performing a type of manual mining called "Air-legging", which has not been performed in Ballarat for years and stopped in other mines.

During "air-legging", mining is done on unsupported grounds. The method involves the use of a handheld drill operated by two miners.

Victory Minerals, the owners of the Ballarat Gold Mine confirmed that death of the miner.

"Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his family and all our people right now. Our absolute priority is supporting the wellbeing of our team members and their families and loved ones, as we all come to terms with this tragic news," stated a spokesperson for the company.

“One of our other team members who was transported to hospital last night is getting the best care possible. Our thoughts are with him and family and loved ones at this time," they added further.

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