East Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya): The death toll in the coal mine blast in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has increased to 27 following the recovery of two more bodies during ongoing search operations, officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said on Saturday.
NDRF Commandant HPS Kandari stated that the latest recoveries were made amid intensified rescue efforts at the blast site. According to district administration data, 18 bodies were recovered on February 5, followed by four on February 6, and two more on Saturday. Three NDRF teams remain deployed at the site to trace any remaining trapped workers.
Rescue and search operations are continuing in the affected area, with authorities working under challenging conditions to locate survivors and retrieve victims.
Earlier, Meghalaya Minister Lahkmen Rymbui confirmed that two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials said that the exact cause of the blast and the identities of the deceased are still being verified.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives, describing the incident as deeply painful. In a message posted on X, she conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ex-gratia assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while those injured will be provided Rs 50,000. The Prime Minister said he was pained by the incident and extended his sympathies to the affected families.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the state government has ordered a thorough inquiry into the blast, which reportedly occurred at a suspected illegal coal mine in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills. He assured that responsibility would be fixed and stringent legal action would be taken against those found guilty.
