Coal Mine Explosion: Death Toll Rises to 18 at Illegal Rat-Hole Coal Mine in East Jaintia Hills

At least 18 people were killed and one seriously injured in a powerful explosion at an illegal coal mine in the Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya on Thursday, authorities said. The blast occurred at the unauthorised mine around 11 a.m. local time, prompting urgent rescue and investigation efforts.

Police and disaster response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were deployed to the remote site after reports of the explosion. Rescue crews recovered 18 bodies from the mine during operations that continued through the day, while the one injured worker was initially treated at a local health centre before being referred to a higher medical facility in Shillong for advanced care.

The mine, located near Mynsyngat under the jurisdiction of the Umpleng police outpost, is suspected to have been operating illegally. Police have registered a suo motu FIR at Khliehriat Police Station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act as part of the formal probe. Authorities have appealed to the public for information that could help identify those responsible for running the unregulated operation.

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The state government and central leaders moved swiftly in the aftermath of the tragedy. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased worker, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh per victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Sangma also ordered a comprehensive inquiry and vowed strict action against those involved in illegal mining.

The blast has once again drawn attention to the longstanding issue of illegal and hazardous coal mining, particularly narrow “rat-hole” mining methods that have been officially banned for years due to safety and environmental concerns. Despite past crackdowns and regulatory efforts, such operations continue in parts of Meghalaya, often in remote terrain with limited oversight.

Local residents and officials have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of mining laws. As rescue teams complete their work and investigators piece together the sequence of events leading to the explosion, authorities have emphasised that accountability will be pursued and that measures to prevent similar tragedies will be prioritised.

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