At Least 18 Labourers Killed, Several Others Feared Trapped After Explosion at Coal Mine in Meghalaya
New Delhi: At least 18 labourers were killed on Thursday (February 5) and several others are feared trapped in wake of an explosion at an allegedly illegal coal mine in Meghalaya. At present rescue teams are conducting search operations at the spot, situated in the hill state’s East Jaintia Hills district, reported Press Trust of India.
Rescue teams have been engaged in search operations, Director General of Police I Nongrang said, adding that the incident occurred in the Thangsku area in the morning.
“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,” said Meghalaya director general of police I Nongrang.
Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the family members of deceased and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for them. A probe has been announced by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma, who also expressed grief over the incident.
According to East Jaintia Hills superintendent of police Vikash Kumar, prima facie it appears that the mine was operating illegally.
“Profoundly saddened by the tragic coal mine incident in East Jaintia Hills. My deepest sympathies are with the families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. Accountability will be fixed, and those responsible will face strict legal action. There will be no compromise when it comes to the safety of lives. In this moment of sorrow, the state stands in solidarity with all those affected,” said chief minister Sangma in a statement, reported PTI.
Back in 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a ban on rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific mining practices in Meghalaya in 2014. It had cited environmental damage and safety risks as reason and had also barred illegal transportation of coal extracted through such methods. The ban was later upheld by the Supreme Court which allowed mining only under scientific and regulated procedures with environmental safeguards.
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