Ranchi, Apr 9 (IANS): Many people were said to be trapped and several vehicles buried as the caustic pond of Hindalco collapsed in Jharkhand on Tuesday, officials said.

Jharkhand Chief Secretary D.K. Tiwari has ordered a probe.

Shubhra Verma, Commissioner of North Chhotanagpur, will probe the accident, a government release said.

"The Chief Secretary has directed to probe all angles of the accident and submit report to the government. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been sent to the spot for relief work," the release said.

Many people were trapped and swept away in the debris as the caustic pond suddenly broke up following a land cave-in at Muri, situated around 25 km from Ranchi.

According to local residents, the incident has taken place at the red mud store point which is left after manufacturing aluminium from bauxite.

According to an eyewitness, the heap of the mud caved in due to which the mud started spreading away rapidly following which many workers were trapped.

Opposition parties have alleged that the relief work started late.