Subject: Mine flooding disaster and subsequent rescue operation Location: Raniganj Coalfield, Bardhaman district, West Bengal, India Operator: Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited Date of Incident: November 13, 1989 1. Incident Summary On November 13, 1989, an inundation (flooding) occurred at a coal mine in the Raniganj Coalfield. An unmarked, abandoned adjacent mine shaft filled with water was breached, causing a massive inflow of water and silt into the active mine where workers were present.