Dima Hasao, Assam: Rescuers recovered the body of another miner on Friday from the flooded coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, raising the total number of recovered bodies to two. Seven miners remain trapped as rescue efforts face immense challenges.
The incident occurred on January 6, when a sudden water surge inundated the 300-foot-deep rat-hole coal mine at 3-Kilo Quarry in the Umrangso area, located 250 kilometers from Guwahati. The mine, submerged under 100 feet of water, is suspected to have connected to an external water source, complicating rescue efforts.
Authorities have deployed specialized equipment, including a high-capacity pump from Maharashtra capable of removing 500 gallons per minute, to expedite water evacuation. Water is also being pumped from nearby abandoned mines to reduce the levels further.
The rescue operation, led by the Indian Army, Navy, and disaster response teams (NDRF and SDRF), is grappling with murky water and narrow tunnels. Divers have faced immense difficulty navigating the mine’s depths. The second victim was identified as Lijen Magar, 27, from Kalamati village, while the first was a Nepalese national.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining miners, with the government expressing commitment to ensuring their rescue. Families of the trapped workers anxiously await updates as the rescue teams work tirelessly against the clock.
