The deceased were identified as Santosh Yadav, Indrajit Yadav -- both brothers -- Ravindra alias Nanak, a resident of Kachnarwa village under Kon police station area of the district, Raju of Amrenia Chopan village, Ramkhelawan of Panaari Tola and Kripashankar of Karmasar Panari village.

While Ravindra’s body was identified by his wife, the identities of Santosh and Indrajeet were ascertained by his brother Chhotu Yada, who was present on the spot, said a senior police official.

It was Chhotu Yadav who submitted a complaint, and Sonbhadra police lodged an FIR against the firm operating the mine in the area.

As per a senior National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) official, two NDRF teams, including 80 rescuers, are engaged in rescue operations at the site. “One team comprises 40 NDRF rescuers.

Each team is accompanied by a medical team. Both teams are well-equipped for rescue operations,” he said. The NDRF rescuers had been using professional corded demolition hammer concrete breakers to clean up the area by breaking, chipping and demolishing hard materials like concrete, brick, stone, and masonry.

“Two sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service at the site,” said the officer, adding that NDRF DIG Manoj Kumar Sharma was supervising the rescue operation.