Chinese worker dies at Barapukuria coal mine amid oxygen shortage fears

A Chinese worker died while working underground at the Barapukuria Coal Mine in Dinajpur early Tuesday, raising concerns over a possible oxygen shortage.

The deceased was identified as Chang Xiao Jun, 43. He was rescued unconscious from Phase 1405 of the mine and taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The mine authorities could not immediately determine the cause of his death. However, some mine workers suspect that an oxygen shortage underground may have caused the incident.

Khan Md Jafar Sadik, general manager of the mine's Operations Department, confirmed the incident.

He said Chang Xiao Jun worked in the mine's ventilation department and was underground with other team members at Phase 1405 early Tuesday.

After their shift ended, the other workers returned to the surface. When Chang failed to return, his colleagues informed the control room.

A rescue team later found him unconscious in an underground passage and brought him to the surface. He was subsequently sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for better treatment, where doctors declared him dead.

Abdul Wadud, officer-in-charge of Parbatipur Model Police Station, said the body would be handed over to the Chinese authorities after an autopsy.

An unnatural death case has been filed with the police station, he added.