Two Owners Arrested in Meghalaya After Rat-Hole Coal Mine Blast Kills 18 Workers
Explosion from dynamite in illegal rat-hole mine in East Jaintia Hills kills 18, injures others; NDRF rescue ops continue, High Court pushes for action.
Meghalaya Police have arrested the owners of an illegal coal mine following a deadly blast that killed at least 18 people, officials said on Thursday. The explosion occurred at an unauthorised mining site in the state, triggering a major rescue and investigation operation amid renewed scrutiny of illegal coal mining activities in the region.
According to police, the blast took place while workers were inside the mine, causing it to partially collapse and trapping several people. Rescue teams, including local authorities and disaster response personnel, were deployed to retrieve bodies and search for any survivors. The operation was hampered by difficult terrain and unsafe conditions inside the mine.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the mine was operating illegally and lacked basic safety measures. Officials said the arrested owners were running the site in violation of mining regulations and environmental norms. A case has been registered under relevant sections of criminal law, and further arrests are not being ruled out as the probe continues.
Also Read: Coal Mine Explosion: Death Toll Rises to 18 at Illegal Rat-Hole Coal Mine in East Jaintia Hills
Authorities said the cause of the blast is being investigated, with early findings pointing to the possible ignition of explosive gases inside the mine. Samples have been collected from the site, and forensic experts have been tasked with determining whether prohibited materials or unsafe practices led to the explosion.
Illegal coal mining has long been a contentious issue in Meghalaya, where so-called “rat-hole” mining has been officially banned but continues to surface periodically. Such operations are often carried out without permits, safety equipment, or proper ventilation, posing serious risks to workers.
The state government expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said compensation would be provided to the victims’ next of kin. Officials also reiterated their commitment to cracking down on illegal mining and ensuring accountability, stating that strict action would be taken against those responsible for endangering lives.
Also Read: Coal Mine Explosion: Death Toll Rises to 18 at Illegal Rat-Hole Coal Mine in East Jaintia Hills
