The death toll in the coal mine blast in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 25 after seven more bodies were recovered during rescue operations on Friday. Officials said the search and recovery work is still continuing as teams try to locate any remaining workers who may still be trapped inside the mine.
The incident took place on Thursday at an illegal coal mine located in Thangsku area under Umsngat village. Soon after the blast, local authorities launched a large rescue operation involving several emergency response agencies. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Special Rescue Team reached the site and began the difficult task of clearing debris and searching the affected area.
According to Meghalaya Director General of Police I. Nongrang, only 12 of the 25 bodies recovered so far have been identified, while the process of identifying the remaining victims is underway. Officials said identification is taking time because of the condition of the bodies and the remote location of the mine. Authorities are coordinating with local administrations and families of the workers to complete the process as early as possible.
Rescue officials said the work is challenging due to unstable ground conditions and the presence of debris inside the mine. Despite these difficulties, rescue teams have continued their efforts without interruption. Medical teams and ambulances have been stationed near the site to provide immediate assistance, while additional support teams remain ready in case of emergencies.
The district administration and the State Disaster Management Authority are closely monitoring the situation. Senior officials have been visiting the site regularly to review the progress of rescue operations and ensure that all necessary resources are available. Authorities have also requested people to stay away from the accident area so that rescue teams can work without disturbance.
The Army and the Air Force have been kept on standby to provide additional assistance if required. Officials said coordination among different agencies has helped speed up the rescue work, although the difficult terrain continues to slow down some operations.
