Assam: In a tragic development, Army divers from the 21 Para Special Forces have recovered one body from the flooded coal mine in Umrangso, Dima Hasao district. The recovery comes after nearly 48 hours of intense rescue operations for nine miners trapped underground since January 6, when a sudden flood inundated the mine.
The body recovered from the well has been identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Udayapur district, Nepal.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the recovery on social media, expressing condolences to the grieving family. “21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family,” the chief minister wrote on X.
HPS Kandari, Commandant of the 1st Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), detailed the challenges faced by the rescue teams. He revealed that despite multiple attempts the previous day, the team succeeded in locating and recovering one body after diving into the mine the following morning. Kandari emphasized the difficulty of navigating the narrow, flooded mine shafts and noted that the operation would continue in areas identified as potential locations of the remaining trapped miners.
Rescue efforts have mobilized multiple agencies, including the Army, Navy, NDRF, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Dewatering efforts are ongoing, with high-capacity pumps rushed from Umrangso. Equipment provided by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is also awaiting deployment via MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhigram, delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
State Mines Minister Kaushik Rai, overseeing the operation, explained that the miners were trapped after accidentally breaching an underground water source during illegal mining activities. The sudden flooding left workers stranded in narrow “rat hole” mine shafts, making rescue efforts particularly complex.
The incident has drawn attention to the illegal mining operations in the region. Police have arrested Punish Nunisa in connection with the incident and are investigating violations of mining regulations. Additional arrests are anticipated as the probe deepens.
Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy has pledged additional resources, directing Coal India Limited to support the rescue mission. Special teams from the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Navy, and Air Force have installed lighting systems to enable round-the-clock operations at the site.
The tragedy has cast a spotlight on the hazardous conditions faced by miners in unregulated operations, underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and enhanced safety protocols. For now, the focus remains on rescuing the remaining miners and providing solace to the affected families.