Number of victims after a coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills rose to 27 after search teams recovered two more bodies, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) official said.
NDRF official HPS Kandari said FLIGHT that two remains were recovered. Efforts to find the remaining workers trapped underground are continuing at the disaster site.
“According to the district administration, 18 bodies were recovered on February 5, four bodies on February 6 and two bodies on Saturday. Three teams of NDRF are involved in the ongoing search and rescue operations,” HPS Kandari said.
Earlier on Friday, Meghalaya Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said two individuals had been detained during an active investigation into the tragedy.
Details regarding the cause of the explosion and the official names of the victims are currently being investigated.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep grief over the deaths in the mining disaster in East Jaintia Hills district and described the event as heartbreaking.
“Grievous to hear about the loss of life of workers in an unfortunate accident in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the President said in a social media post on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The family of the victims will be awarded ₹2 million each while individuals get injured during the event ₹50,000.
“Pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injuries be healed as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Kdy said that the regional administration has ordered a thorough investigation into the disaster that took place in the alleged unauthorized coal mine in the Thangskai area of the East Jaintia Hills. He stressed that responsibility will be held and strict legal action will be taken against the perpetrators.
Several people are still missing and rescue teams are searching for them, police said.
Meanwhile, a suo motu FIR has been registered at the Khliehriat police station under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Explosives Act.
Justice (retired) BP Katakey, who oversees compliance with regulations related to mining issues, visited Thangska and confirmed that large-scale illegal mining is taking place in the locality.