At least 16 labourers were killed and one sustained serious injuries in a powerful explosion at an alleged illegal coal mine in the Thangsko area of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday morning. The incident has triggered a major emergency response, with authorities fearing that more persons may still be trapped inside the mine even as rescue operations were suspended due to fading light, with the operation likely to resume on Friday.
The explosion, suspected to have occurred during mining activities, once again casts a harsh spotlight on the persistent dangers associated with illegal coal mining in the region, despite repeated warnings and regulatory action.
District police and disaster management authorities rushed to the area following reports of the incident, even as difficult terrain hampered immediate rescue efforts. East Jaintia Hills District Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said, “It’s dark so we had to stop the operation for today, but it is difficult to say how many more are trapped inside.”
Confirming the incident, Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills, Vikash Kumar said, “Our team has confirmed that the incident took place this morning.” He further stated that one injured labourer was shifted from Sutnga PHC and referred to Shillong for advanced medical treatment. Police have sought assistance from the State Disaster Response Force to carry out rescue operations. “We sought help from SDRF team,” Kumar said.
On the status of the mine, police indicated that the operation was allegedly illegal. When asked about the legality of the mining site, the SP stated, “Yes, as per information.” A police team has been dispatched to the spot to assess the situation in detail, while authorities said comprehensive ground reports are awaited as investigations continue into the cause of the explosion and the circumstances under which the mine was operating.
