Meghalaya coal mine blast: Death toll rises to 27, NDRF continues search operations in East Jaintia Hills

EAST JAINTIA HILLS: The death toll in the coal mine blast in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has climbed to 27 after two more bodies were recovered during ongoing rescue operations, officials said on Saturday. NDRF commandant HPS Kandari said that 18 bodies were recovered on February 5, four on February 6 and two more on Saturday. “Three NDRF teams are engaged in the ongoing search and rescue operations,” Kandari said, adding that efforts were continuing at the blast site to trace any remaining trapped workers. Earlier, Meghalaya minister Lahkmen Rymbui said two persons had been arrested as part of the investigation into the mishap.

Authorities are still ascertaining the exact circumstances of the incident and the identities of the deceased, even as rescue and recovery work continues in the area. President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives, calling the incident painful. “It is painful to hear about the loss of lives of workers in an unfortunate accident in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the early recovery of the injured,” she said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while the injured will be given Rs 50,000. “Pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” the PM said. Chief minister Conrad K Sangma said the state government has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, which occurred at a suspected illegal coal mine in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills. He said accountability would be fixed and strict legal action would be taken against those responsible.