In a heartbreaking incident, 16 miners lost their lives in a massive blast at an unauthorized coal mine in Meghalaya’s Thangskhu village, East Jaintia Hills. The explosion, which ripped through the underground workings, has reignited concerns over rampant illegal mining in the region.
Police Superintendent Vikas Kumar reported that recovery teams have pulled out 16 bodies from the rubble, with operations still underway amid hazardous conditions. ‘We’ve recovered 16 so far, but the search continues,’ Kumar shared in an update.
Believed to have happened mid-extraction, the blast caused the mine shaft to cave in, trapping workers deep below. Investigations are probing the trigger, though experts point to methane gas accumulation or poor ventilation as likely culprits in such illicit setups.
A lone survivor, critically injured, received initial care at a local health center before transfer to Shillong Medical College. Doctors are monitoring him closely as he fights for recovery.
Reinforcements from NDRF and SDRF are on the ground, aiding police in navigating the unstable earth fraught with landslide threats. The challenging environment has slowed progress, but teams remain committed.
Authorities suspect illegal operations, a probe that could lead to arrests and shutdowns. This event exposes the deadly underbelly of Meghalaya’s coal trade, where judicial bans and enforcement drives fail to deter shadowy operators risking lives for profit.
As the death toll stands at 16 with potential for more, this disaster calls for comprehensive reforms to safeguard miners and eliminate illegal digs plaguing the hills.