16 Labourers Dead in Meghalaya Mine Blast
At least 16 labourers have died and several others are feared trapped following a powerful explosion at a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, officials said.
SHILLONG- At least 16 labourers have been confirmed dead and several others are feared trapped following a powerful explosion in a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday morning, authorities said.
The blast occurred in the Thangsku area and was reported during early mining activity at the site believed to be operating outside regulatory norms. Director General of Police I. Nongrang confirmed the recovery of 16 bodies, while the exact number of workers inside the mine at the time of the explosion remains unknown. Several others are feared buried within collapsed sections of the mine.
One worker who sustained serious injuries was initially taken to the Sutnga Primary Health Centre and subsequently referred to a hospital in Shillong for advanced medical care.
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Police and disaster response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force, are engaged in search and rescue operations amid difficult terrain and unstable mine conditions. Officials have said the precise cause of the explosion is yet to be determined and an inquiry has been launched.
The incident has once again highlighted the serious dangers posed by rat-hole coal mining, a practice long banned by the National Green Tribunal and upheld by the Supreme Court of India owing to environmental damage and severe safety risks. Rat-hole mining involves digging narrow tunnels, usually about 3–4 feet high, forcing workers to crawl deep underground to extract coal, often without safety safeguards.
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Officials have confirmed that the mine where the blast occurred appears to have been operating illegally, violating safety protocols and environmental regulations. Investigations are ongoing to determine how many workers were present at the site and whether unregulated explosives or dynamite were used during the mining operations.
The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining safety regulations and greater oversight to prevent illegal operations that endanger the lives of migrant and local labourers.
