Assam: The body recovered from a waterlogged coal mine in Assam’s Umrangso area has been identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho, a resident of Nepal’s Udayapur district.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the identification on January 8 through his social media platform, X, as efforts continue to rescue nine miners trapped underground since January 6.
In a significant breakthrough, Army divers from the 21 Para Special Forces recovered Srestho’s body, marking the first casualty confirmed in the ongoing rescue operation. “The body has been identified as Sri Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Nepal,” Sarma stated, highlighting the gravity of the incident and the challenges faced by rescuers.
The coal mine, located in the Dima Hasao district, became waterlogged after heavy rains, trapping the miners in its intricate rat-hole structure. Rescue teams, including personnel from the Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are working tirelessly under extreme conditions to locate the remaining trapped workers.
HPS Kandari, Commandant of the 1st Battalion of the NDRF, shared insights into the complexities of the mission. Navigating the submerged and labyrinthine structure of the mine posed significant difficulties for divers, but their perseverance led to the discovery of the first victim. Kandari assured that efforts would intensify in the coming hours, focusing on the network of rat holes where the other miners may still be trapped.
To support the rescue, a large-scale dewatering operation is underway. Pumps deployed by the SDRF have been working continuously to lower water levels inside the mine. Additionally, specialized equipment from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been mobilized to accelerate the process. However, poor weather conditions have delayed the aerial transportation of equipment via MI-17 helicopters from Kumbhigram.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the dangerous working conditions in rat-hole mines, notorious for their unregulated and hazardous operations. As rescue efforts continue, the incident has sparked conversations about the safety protocols and oversight in such high-risk environments.
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