Shillong, 05 February (HS): At least 16 workers were killed in a major explosion at an illegal coal mine in the Tashkashai area of East Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya on Thursday. Officials fear the death toll may rise further as rescue operations intensify, with apprehensions that more workers could still be trapped inside the mine.

According to preliminary reports, the explosion occurred deep inside the coal mine, triggering panic and heavy loss of life and property. Video clips from the site show distressed workers crying and claiming that hundreds of labourers may be trapped inside the mine. Authorities suspect that most of the victims are migrant workers from Assam.

Officials at the First Battalion headquarters of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Guwahati said that immediately after receiving information about the incident, one NDRF team already stationed in Meghalaya was rushed to the site for rescue and relief operations. In addition, two more teams have been dispatched from Guwahati. The teams are being led by the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion along with the battalion doctor and other senior officials.

Sources said the Meghalaya Police launched a rescue operation soon after the incident and deployed multiple teams in the affected area. Thick black smoke was seen billowing out of the mine, while several workers gathered around the site. Women and children were also seen crying and wailing near the spot.

Initial information suggests that dynamite may have been used inside the illegally operated mine, leading to the powerful blast. Three of the deceased workers have been identified as Farooq Ahmed of Bihara village in Katigorah and Dildar Hussain and Anwar Hussain from Sharisha Kuri village in Assam.

Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar told the media that 16 bodies have been recovered so far and rescue operations are continuing on a war footing. Officials fear that more bodies may still be trapped inside the mine.

The incident has triggered a large-scale emergency response, with police and rescue personnel remaining on site as search and relief efforts continue.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash