At least 18 labourers killed, several feared trapped in Meghalaya's 'illegal' mine blast, CM Sangma announces probe

(Representative image)

• Explosion in illegal coal mine in Meghalaya kills at least 16 labourers
• Rescue operations underway as more people are feared trapped
• Mine believed to be operating unlawfully; inquiry into cause of blast ongoing

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An explosion inside a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has left at least 18 labourers dead, while many others are believed to be trapped, police said on Thursday (February 5).

Director General of Police (GDP) I Nongrang confirmed the scale of the tragedy, saying, “We have recovered 16 bodies so far. The exact number of labourers present inside the mine at the time of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. More people are feared trapped.”

The blast occurred in the Thangsku area during mining activity at the site, which authorities believe was operating unlawfully. Rescue and search operations are currently underway, and additional support has been requested to strengthen the effort.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikash Kumar said one injured person was first taken to the Sutnga Primary Health Centre and later referred to a hospital in Shillong for advanced treatment. He added that police have sought help from the State Disaster Response Force to assist in the operation. “The State Disaster Response Forcer (SDRF) team are yet to come,” Kumar said.

Asked about the legality of the mine, the officer stated, “Yes, it seems like that.” He also noted that the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined and that an inquiry will be conducted.

Officials from the district administration reiterated that 16 bodies have been recovered so far and that efforts are continuing to trace those believed to be trapped inside the narrow tunnels.

Rat-hole mining, a method commonly associated with such accidents, involves digging small horizontal passages-often only three to four feet high -- through which workers crawl to extract coal. These tunnels are commonly referred to as “rat-holes” because they barely accommodate one person at a time.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific practices in Meghalaya in 2014 due to environmental harm and safety concerns. The Supreme Court later upheld the prohibition, permitting mining only through scientific and regulated procedures with environmental safeguards.

Leaders across the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed deep sorrow over the coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying in a post on X. The Prime Minister also announced that an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured would receive ₹50,000.

President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as “painful to hear about the loss of lives of workers in an unfortunate accident in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya,” adding, “I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the early recovery of the injured.” Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the coal mine incident in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya,” and extended his “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families” while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also expressed grief over the tragedy and announced that a probe would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the explosion.