A catastrophic dynamite explosion ripped through an unauthorised “rat-hole” coal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, killing at least 16 labourers and leaving others feared trapped underground.
The incident occurred in a region notorious for hazardous, unscientific mining operations, where narrow tunnels—often only 3-4 feet high—force workers to crawl while extracting coal. Officials confirmed the mine was operating illegally, in defiance of longstanding regulations.
Meghalaya Director General of Police I Nongrang, citing updates reported by PTI, stated that 16 bodies had been recovered so far. East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar noted that the exact number of workers present at the time of the blast remained unconfirmed, with more individuals believed to be trapped. The explosion is suspected to have been triggered during mining activities involving dynamite, though a formal inquiry is underway to determine the precise cause.
One survivor, who sustained injuries, was first treated at the Sutnga Primary Health Centre before being transferred to a hospital in Shillong for further care.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the loss of life and announced ex gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of the deceased, along with Rs 50,000 for the injured.
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Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma conveyed profound sorrow via social media, describing himself as “profoundly saddened” by the tragedy. He pledged full solidarity with the grieving families, ordered a comprehensive inquiry, and vowed strict accountability, stating there would be “no compromise when it comes to the safety of lives” and that those responsible would face legal consequences.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also mourned the deaths, highlighting close coordination with Meghalaya authorities. His government announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of deceased workers from Assam. Early identifications included Faruk Ahmed from Bihara village in Katigora, Assam, and Dildar Hussain and Anwora Hussain from Sharisha Kuri village in the state—underscoring the frequent involvement of cross-border labour in these operations.
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force and local police persisted in efforts to search the confined tunnels for any possible survivors.
The tragedy has reignited scrutiny over illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, despite the National Green Tribunal’s 2014 ban on rat-hole mining and unscientific extraction methods, which cited grave risks to worker safety and severe environmental damage.