Tragic Explosion at Illegal Coal Mine in Meghalaya Claims Lives of 16 Workers

Explosion in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills

Shillong, Feb 5: A devastating explosion at an illegal coal mine in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 workers, with many others feared trapped.

The Director General of Police, I. Nongrang, reported that rescue operations are currently underway in the Thangsku area, where the blast occurred earlier today.

"We have so far recovered 16 bodies. The total number of workers present in the mine at the time of the explosion is still unknown, and more individuals are believed to be trapped," she stated.

According to Vikash Kumar, the Superintendent of Police for East Jaintia Hills, one injured person was initially treated at the Sutnga Primary Health Centre before being transferred to a hospital in Shillong for advanced care.

Initial reports indicate that the explosion took place during coal mining operations at a site suspected of being illegal.

When questioned about the legality of the mine, Kumar confirmed, "Yes, it appears to be illegal." He also mentioned that the precise cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

As of Thursday evening, the identities of the deceased had not been verified.

While there were claims that some victims might be from Assam, officials stated that these assertions had not been confirmed at the time of this report.

In response to the incident during an event in Jorhat, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sought information regarding the victims and expressed skepticism about their origins. He remarked, "The workers might claim they are from Assam, but they could also be from Bangladesh. Nowadays, I don't easily accept such claims. As far as I know, no Assamese person has gone to Meghalaya to work in coal mines."

Despite his doubts, Sarma conveyed his condolences, stating, "Death is always tragic, whether it involves an Assamese or a Bangladeshi national."

Authorities indicated that more information would be available following the completion of search operations and the investigation into the incident.