Four Labourers Killed, One Injured at Suspected Illegal Coal Mine Blast in Meghalaya

Four Labourers Killed, One Injured at Suspected Illegal Coal Mine Blast in Meghalaya

Four labourers lost their lives and one was injured after an explosion trapped them deep inside a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, police said.

The incident occurred in the Thangsku area, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar confirmed. According to initial information, the blast took place during coal extraction activities, which authorities believe were being carried out illegally.

Police have sought assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to conduct rescue and recovery operations at the site. “The SDRF team is yet to arrive,” Kumar said, adding that efforts were underway to reach the affected area.

While the exact cause of the explosion is still being investigated, officials said an inquiry will be conducted to determine the circumstances leading to the incident. Asked whether the mine was operating illegally, the police officer said it appeared to be the case.

Coal mining in Meghalaya has been under scrutiny for years. In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a ban on rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific practices, citing serious environmental damage and grave safety risks to workers. The ban also placed restrictions on the illegal transportation of coal extracted through such methods. The Supreme Court later upheld the NGT’s order, permitting mining only under regulated, scientific procedures with environmental safeguards.

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Rat-hole mining involves digging narrow tunnels, typically three to four feet high, through which workers crawl to extract coal. The horizontal shafts, often referred to as “rat-holes,” are extremely hazardous and have been linked to several fatal accidents in the coal-rich districts of the state.

Authorities said further action will be taken once the investigation establishes responsibility for the illegal mining operation.