The Crossbill Team
The body of a miner was recovered on Wednesday (January 8) from a coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso, in Assam's Dima Hasao district, where at least half a dozen workers are feared trapped inside a flooded coal mine.
Joint teams of the Indian Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) resumed rescue operations this morning.
The body recovered has been identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Udayapur district, Nepal. It has been 48 hours since the incident, and the next 24 hours are critical.
On January 6, around 30-35 workers were trapped when water began seeping into and flooding the coal mine. While many managed to escape, about nine are feared trapped, according to officials. The exact cause of the flooding remains unclear, according to the preliminary police investigation.
State Minister Kaushik Rai told news agency PTI that the teams have started the dewatering process using an ONGC dewatering pump, which was airlifted on an MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhigram.
“One body has been recovered. We are doing dewatering as well. It’s been 48 hours (since the incident) and water inside the mine is a big challenge. Today is a crucial day,” Rai said.
“21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.
Speaking to The Hindu, Dima Hasao District Commissioner Simanta K. Das stated that the location is remote and accessible only through dense jungle, which has delayed the rescue mission.
Media reports cite authorities, stating that the water level inside the coal mine has risen to nearly 100 feet.
Similar disasters in coal mines are frequent in northeastern India, especially in the practice of ‘rat-hole’ mining.
This method involves digging narrow pathways for coal extraction, which was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 due to its hazards to miners. However, it continues to be practiced in hilly areas despite the ban.
Joint teams of the Indian Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) resumed rescue operations this morning.
The body recovered has been identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Udayapur district, Nepal. It has been 48 hours since the incident, and the next 24 hours are critical.
On January 6, around 30-35 workers were trapped when water began seeping into and flooding the coal mine. While many managed to escape, about nine are feared trapped, according to officials. The exact cause of the flooding remains unclear, according to the preliminary police investigation.
#IndianArmy & Assam Rifles Rescue Task Force, comprising Divers & Engineers made two diving attempts into the mine at Umrangso, Dima Hasao, Assam. Engineers are assisting in dewatering the mine & have arranged lighting for night operations. #RescueOps pic.twitter.com/zrIsGRXqgm
— PRO, Defence, Guwahati (@prodefgau) January 7, 2025
State Minister Kaushik Rai told news agency PTI that the teams have started the dewatering process using an ONGC dewatering pump, which was airlifted on an MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhigram.
“One body has been recovered. We are doing dewatering as well. It’s been 48 hours (since the incident) and water inside the mine is a big challenge. Today is a crucial day,” Rai said.
“21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.
21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family. https://t.co/y9bUP6tn4H
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 8, 2025
Speaking to The Hindu, Dima Hasao District Commissioner Simanta K. Das stated that the location is remote and accessible only through dense jungle, which has delayed the rescue mission.
Media reports cite authorities, stating that the water level inside the coal mine has risen to nearly 100 feet.
Similar disasters in coal mines are frequent in northeastern India, especially in the practice of ‘rat-hole’ mining.
This method involves digging narrow pathways for coal extraction, which was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 due to its hazards to miners. However, it continues to be practiced in hilly areas despite the ban.
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