18 laborers killed in illegal coal mine accident in Meghalaya, rescue operation underway

Shillong, Meghalaya has witnessed a series of accidents due to illegal coal mining over the years. Another major accident occurred on Thursday at around 11 am, claiming the lives of 18 laborers and injuring eight others, who were hospitalized. The condition of one of the injured is reported to be critical.

It is learned that the laborers had detonated dynamite in the mine, causing a fire due to the presence of methane gas. Flames erupted from the three rat-hole mines, prompting other laborers outside to flee. Security agencies, who arrived at the scene, have expressed concerns that the death toll may rise.

According to reports, no smoke is currently emanating from the coal mine, but precautions are being taken. On February 5, the SEDC received information that a dynamite explosion had occurred at a coal mine in the Mawsynram-Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills district at around 11 am. By 6:30 pm, initial reports confirmed that 18 laborers had died and eight were injured, with one critically injured laborer being shifted to the Elong Civil Hospital and seven others being taken to the Khliehriat Civil Hospital before being referred to the Neerim Shillong.

The district administration immediately dispatched SDRF, fire brigade, and NDRF rescue teams to the site. The SDMA requested the MPRO for communication, while the army and air force were put on standby. Three NDRF teams, led by Commandant HP Kundari of the 1st Battalion NDRF in Guwahati, have been dispatched to the scene for relief and rescue operations. However, the accident site is located in a remote and inaccessible area, making it difficult for security agencies to reach.

Inspector Anurag Kumar Singh of the 1st Battalion NDRF, who is present at the accident site, stated today that an eight-member team reached the scene at 11 pm last night and initiated relief and rescue operations. Three NDRF teams, including two from Guwahati, have arrived in Meghalaya, and all teams are expected to reach the site by today afternoon, after which the relief efforts will gain momentum.

The NDRF teams are equipped with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) equipment. The accident site is approximately 25 kilometers from the district headquarters and can only be accessed via a difficult route, taking around three hours from the district headquarters, and only 4x4 vehicles can reach the location.