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Deadly explosion at illegal coal mine claims 18 lives
An explosion at an unlicensed coal mine in India's northeastern Meghalaya state has left at least 18 miners dead and one severely injured, police confirmed on Thursday. Rescue efforts continue as authorities fear more workers may remain trapped underground.
Explosion details and rescue operations
The blast occurred around 11:00 local time (05:30 GMT) in the East Jaintia Hills district, approximately 72 km (45 miles) from the state capital, Shillong. Police suspect the explosion was caused by dynamite used in the hazardous practice known as rat-hole mining.
State police superintendent Vikash Kumar stated that 18 bodies have been recovered so far, while one survivor with severe burn injuries has been hospitalized in Shillong. The exact number of workers still trapped remains unclear.
Rat-hole mining: A banned but persistent practice
Rat-hole mining involves digging narrow tunnels, often just four to five feet high, where workers crouch to extract coal. The method, which relies on dynamite to break through rock, has been banned in India since 2014 due to its extreme danger. Despite the prohibition, activists say the practice persists in Meghalaya, driven by high coal demand and weak enforcement.
"Rat-hole mining is highly risky, yet it continues unchecked in parts of the state," said Agnes Kharshiing, a local activist campaigning against illegal mining.
Government response and accountability
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,215) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees ($554) for the injured. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma pledged strict legal action against those responsible, though police have yet to identify the mine's operators or the victims.
Local reports suggest many of the deceased miners may have been from the neighboring state of Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma offered assistance to affected families if the claims are verified.
Pattern of deadly accidents
This incident is among the deadliest mining disasters in Meghalaya in recent years. In 2018, 15 miners were trapped when water flooded a rat-hole mine, with rescue operations lasting months. Only five escaped, while the rest were presumed dead after two bodies were recovered.
Activists and officials cite poverty, political patronage, and lax enforcement in remote areas as factors enabling illegal mining. Despite repeated warnings from a high court-appointed monitoring committee, unsafe practices continue, often without basic safety measures.
Broader context of illegal mining in India
Fatal accidents linked to unregulated coal mining have been reported in multiple Indian states, including Gujarat, Jharkhand, Assam, and West Bengal. High coal demand, coupled with economic desperation in mining regions, perpetuates the cycle of illegal and dangerous operations.
