East Jaintia Hills

Rescue teams have recovered 18 bodies so far from the coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, where a powerful explosion trapped several workers, officials said on Thursday.

Teams from the NDRF, SDRF and Meghalaya Fire & Emergency Services are continuing search and rescue operations at the Mynsyngat area. According to CP Mawkan, Additional Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills, around eight people were injured in the incident and have been shifted to medical facilities.

He said rescue personnel are still searching the pit for bodies believed to be trapped inside.

NDRF Commandant HPS Kandari said three specialised teams have been deployed at the site. A team was earlier sent inside the mine to assess underground conditions before resuming the search operation.

Meanwhile, DIG Operations (NDRF) Mohsin Shahedi said several individuals are still feared trapped, adding that the explosion was triggered by a dynamite blast inside the mine.

The explosion occurred in the Mynsyngat, Thangsko (Thangskai) area of East Jaintia Hills, killing at least 18 people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.

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Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirmed the death toll at 18, adding that at least one injured person has been shifted to the Civil Hospital for treatment.