Jharkhand's Dhanbad district ordered a probe on Thursday, December 4, 2025, after poisonous gas leaked from underground mines. About 1,000 people were moved to safer places by Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL). A woman reportedly died and 12 others fell ill due to carbon monoxide gas exposure on Wednesday, December 3, in Kenduadih Basti. Officials said the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan directed an investigation and asked BCCL to immediately shift residents to safety. "Based on the probe report, action will be taken against responsible persons," the DC said. An emergency meeting was held with BCCL, Directorate General of Mines Safety, health and disaster management departments, and Jharia Rehabilitation Authority officials. They discussed causes, preventive steps, and the evacuation progress. BCCL swiftly began evicting people from the declared ‘danger zone’ area affected by underground mine fires. Notices were pasted on houses, urging residents to leave soon. The DC instructed the BCCL Putki Balihari Colliery Area authorities to set up a tent city for evacuees with food and blankets. G.C. Saha, BCCL's Putki-Balihati Colliery Area General Manager, told reporters three ambulances were ready for emergencies. "The company is making arrangements to shift the residents to safer places. For the safety of life and property, we have already requested them to leave the dangerous zone," Mr. Saha said. He confirmed all gas leak points have been plugged. The gas leak was first noticed Wednesday evening when residents of Rajput Basti complained of vomiting, headache, and breathlessness. A 2019 survey showed that about 946 families live near 595 underground mine fire and subsidence-prone sites in the Jharia coalfield. The administration continues to monitor the situation closely to protect lives and property.