Meghalaya: 16 labourers from Assam killed in coal mine blast in East Jaintia Hills
Meghalaya coal mine blast: Rescue operations are underway after several labourers were fered trapped after a en explosion in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills. Some workers are feared dead in the tragedy.
At least 16 labourers from Assam were killed, and several others were trapped after an explosion at a suspected illegal coal mine in a village in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, police said.
The incident took place in the Thangsku area, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said. He said 16 bodies have been pulled out from the mine and several others sustained injuries and have been admitted to a primary health centre before being referred to Shillong for advanced treatment.
Police took assistance from the State Disaster Response Force to carry out rescue operations at the site and rescue operations are underway, Kumar said.
The explosion is suspected to have occurred during coal mining activities at the site, which is believed to be operating illegally. Asked whether the mine was illegal, the officer said, "Yes, it appears so." Kumar added that the cause of the explosion is not yet known and an inquiry will be conducted.
The National Green Tribunal imposed a ban on rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific mining practices in Meghalaya in 2014, citing environmental damage and serious safety concerns, and also restricted the illegal transportation of coal extracted through such methods. Rat hole mining involves digging narrow tunnels, usually about 3 to 4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal.
The Supreme Court later upheld the ban, allowing coal mining only through scientific and regulated procedures with appropriate environmental safeguards.