Shillong, February 5: A powerful explosion occurred on Thursday in a suspected illegal coal mine located in the Thangskow area of East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya. Authorities reported that four workers lost their lives, and one was severely injured.
The blast caused nearby mine tunnels to collapse, trapping workers underground. Local sources indicated that the explosion’s impact was so intense that surrounding mine structures were immediately destroyed, complicating rescue efforts.
Vikas Kumar, the Superintendent of Police for East Jaintia Hills, confirmed the incident, stating that a police team and disaster management personnel were dispatched to the site shortly after the explosion was reported.
“This incident occurred this morning. The State Disaster Response Force has been called in to assist with the rescue operations,” he said.
One worker who survived the explosion is in critical condition. He was initially taken to the Sutanga Primary Health Center and later transferred to Shillong for advanced treatment. Hospital sources indicate that his condition remains serious.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the coal mine was operating illegally, violating long-standing prohibitions against rat-hole coal mining in the area.
Officials are investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the explosion and to identify those responsible for operating the illegal mine.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills, where several fatal accidents have occurred in recent years, despite repeated enforcement efforts and court orders to uphold the ban.
Meanwhile, SDRF teams are working to reach the site from Jowai to conduct search and rescue operations, although the task is proving to be challenging.