Shillong, February 5: A devastating explosion in a suspected illegal coal mine in the Thangskhu area of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has resulted in the recovery of at least 16 bodies, marking one of the deadliest mining accidents in recent years. Police officials confirmed this information on Thursday.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikas Kumar, verified the death toll, stating that rescue teams have retrieved 16 bodies from the site so far.
Kumar reported that the search and rescue operation is still ongoing. The explosion is believed to have occurred during coal mining activities inside the mine, leading to its collapse and trapping several workers underground.
The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown; however, officials indicated that it appears to have happened during active mining operations.
One worker survived the incident and was initially taken to the Sutanga Primary Health Center. Police later reported that he was referred to Shillong for better treatment, and his condition is being closely monitored.
Kumar noted that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been dispatched to assist local police and district administration in rescue and relief efforts.
The operation is being conducted under challenging conditions, including unstable ground and the risk of further landslides.
When asked whether the mine was operating illegally, the district police chief suggested that initial indications point in that direction. He stated that this is a matter for investigation, and responsibility will be determined once the inquiry is complete.
This incident has once again highlighted the ongoing threat of illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills, where banned and unsafe mining practices continue despite court orders and repeated enforcement campaigns.
Officials mentioned that as the investigation progresses and rescue operations continue, more information will emerge.
