A deadly explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has claimed the lives of at least 18 workers, while several others are still feared to be trapped underground. The blast occurred early on Thursday at a suspected rat-hole mining site, a dangerous and banned form of coal extraction.
Soon after the explosion, panic spread through nearby villages as families of the miners rushed to the site, desperately searching for information about their loved ones. Many of the workers were daily-wage labourers who depended on the risky mine work to support their families.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local volunteers were deployed immediately. Narrow tunnels, unstable ground, and poor visibility have made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Operations were paused after nightfall due to safety concerns and resumed the next morning with heavy equipment and additional personnel.
So far, the bodies of 18 miners have been recovered. One injured worker was pulled out alive and taken to hospital for treatment. Officials believe more people may still be trapped deep inside the mine, though the exact number is yet to be confirmed.
Authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine what caused the explosion and who was responsible for running the illegal mine. Rat-hole mining has been banned in Meghalaya since 2014 due to repeated fatal accidents and environmental damage, but the practice continues in remote areas because of weak enforcement and economic hardship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of those who died and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families and the injured. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma assured strict action against those involved and promised support for the affected families.
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