- Nine workers are trapped in a flooded illegal coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district.
- Underground water seeped into the 300-foot-deep mine, hampering rescue operations.
- The mine, located in Umrangso near the Meghalaya border, lacks safety protocols.
- Specialized rescue teams from the Army, SDRF, and NDRF are leading joint operations.
- Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has requested Army assistance and is monitoring the rescue efforts.
A coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district turned into a death trap on Monday morning. Underground water seeped into the illegal mine, trapping nine workers inside. The incident occurred at a ‘rat-hole’ coal mine in Umrangso, a remote industrial town near the Meghalaya border.
Officials reported the tragedy around 1 PM, but accessing the site was challenging due to its remoteness. “The exact number of trapped workers is still unclear, and their condition remains unknown,” said Simanta Kumar Das, Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao.
Delays in Rescue Operations
Rescue operations faced significant delays due to the mine’s location, which is six hours from the district headquarters, Haflong. By Monday evening, specialized teams from the Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the area.
Water filled almost 100 feet of the 300-foot-deep mine, complicating rescue efforts. “It’s already dark, so full-scale operations will begin at 6 AM on Tuesday,” Das informed. Army divers and engineers have been deployed with advanced equipment to handle the task under expert supervision.
The rescue team faces immense challenges as no safety protocols exist in the illegal mining setup. Authorities are coordinating with civil administration for regular updates to expedite efforts.
Illegal Mining: A Persistent Issue
The mine in question was reportedly operated by a private contractor under the state’s Mines and Minerals Department. However, after the flooding, workers from the firm fled the site, leaving no one to provide immediate information.
Illegal mining is not new to Assam or neighboring Meghalaya. In May 2022, three workers died in a similar coal mine incident in Tinsukia district.
In 2018, 15 workers were trapped and presumed dead in a flooded coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills. Despite repeated warnings and penalties, illegal mining continues due to high demand and lack of enforcement.
In 2019, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) fined the Meghalaya government ₹100 crore for failing to curb illegal coal mining. However, incidents like this highlight persistent regulatory failures.
Government’s Response and Public Concern
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep concern over the tragedy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Distressing news from Umrangso. Laborers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are unknown. Praying for their safety.”
The Chief Minister requested the Army’s assistance and confirmed that SDRF and NDRF teams were en route. Local officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, also rushed to the site to assess the situation.
District Disaster Management Officer Rikki B. Phukan explained the probable cause of the flooding. “While there was no rainfall, underground water seeped in, trapping the workers. The exact reason is still under investigation,” he said.
The recurring tragedies in coal mines raise critical questions about safety enforcement. Illegal mining operations often disregard safety protocols, exposing workers to life-threatening risks. In this incident, the lack of accountability further exacerbated the situation, as private contractors fled the site.
Stronger enforcement of mining regulations and periodic inspections are essential to prevent such disasters. Policymakers must address the systemic issues that allow unsafe mining practices to persist.
All things considered, The Assam coal mine tragedy is a stark reminder of the human cost of illegal mining and unsafe labor practices. While rescue teams work tirelessly to save the trapped workers, the incident highlights the urgent need for stringent safety measures and regulatory oversight.
The outcome of the rescue operation will determine the fate of the trapped miners and shape discussions around mining reforms in the region. This tragedy calls for immediate attention to protect workers and ensure accountability in mining operations.