16 Killed in Meghalaya Illegal Coal Mine Explosion: Search for Trapped Workers Continues

Rescue teams are working urgently to find survivors after a tragic explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. The incident occurred on Thursday morning in the Thangsku area, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 labourers.

Director General of Police, I Nongrang, confirmed that several more people are feared trapped underground. “We have recovered 16 bodies so far,” she stated. Officials are still trying to determine exactly how many workers were inside the mine when the blast happened.

Rescue Efforts and Casualties

Search operations are currently underway at the site. One survivor, who was seriously injured in the blast, was first taken to the Sutnga Primary Health Centre. They have since been moved to a hospital in Shillong for specialized treatment, according to Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar.

Investigation into Illegal Mining

The explosion likely occurred during active mining. While investigations are ongoing, SP Vikash Kumar noted that the mine appeared to be operating illegally. A formal inquiry will be conducted to find the exact cause of the blast.

Background on Mining Bans in Meghalaya

Illegal mining remains a significant concern in the region. In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned “rat-hole” mining and other unscientific methods in Meghalaya. The ban was put in place due to severe environmental damage and the extreme safety risks these mines pose to workers.

What is Rat-Hole Mining? Rat-hole mining involves digging very narrow tunnels—usually only 3 to 4 feet high—for workers to enter and extract coal. These horizontal tunnels are called “rat-holes” because they are barely large enough for one person to fit through.

Although the Supreme Court later upheld the NGT ban, it ruled that mining could only continue if done through scientific, regulated procedures that follow strict environmental and safety guidelines.

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