Shillong/Khliehriat, Feb 6: The death toll from the dynamite explosion inside an illegal coal mine in Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 25, police said today.
The rescue teams recovered four bodies from the coal mine, while three succumbed to injuries, East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said.
He said one injured person, who was undergoing treatment at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong succumbed to his injuries. Another two persons, who had sustained serious injuries due to the explosion and subsequent fire in the illegal mine, died and were brought to Civil Hospital, Khliehriat and Civil Hospital, Jowai by their family members.
Out of the recovered deceased, 17 dead bodies have been identified and handed over to their respective relatives after completion of all necessary legal formalities, the SP said.
Two accused persons have been arrested, Forme Chyrmang (36) of Jalaphet Pordung, East Jaintia Hills district and Shamehi War (42) of Sutnga Pohwailong.
Kumar said both the accused have been produced before the court and have been remanded to three days police custody.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other accused persons involved in the case. Search, investigation, and legal proceedings are continuing,” he added.
The blast occurred on Thursday at around 7 am at an illegal coal mine in Mynsyngat, Thangsko area under Umpleng Police Outpost, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation. Eighteen bodies were recovered on Thursday.
Revenue and Disaster Management Lahkmen Rymbui, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla, Principal Secretary Home (Police) FR Kharkongor visited the tragedy site. Officials from neighbouring districts of Cachar and Hailakandi were also present.
Additional Deputy Commissioner CP Mawkon said search and rescue teams are continuing to search for remaining bodies at the site.
Two teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), one Special Rescue Team (SRT), and three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at the site. Additional medical teams from Jowai and Shillong have been mobilised, with seven ambulances dispatched from Jowai.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has also deployed a deputy commandant, 15 personnel, two ambulances with nursing staff, and two doctors to assist in the rescue operation.
Officials said the rescue efforts are being carried out in a coordinated manner, with medical support strengthened to handle the injured. The Army and the Air Force have also been kept on standby as operations continue.
The injured mine workers, who were admitted to NEIGRIHMS suffer deep second degree burn injury and third degree sign of inhalational injury. They are Shanki Shylla (35) of Khliehriat, Deb Malakar (25) and Jamil Ahmed (36), both from Assam and four from Nepal—Korna (46), Bom Magar (40), Lalit Magar and Nor Bahadur.
As per reports from Jowai, West Jaintia Hills district one Dawa Sherpa (54) and Raju Tamang, were referred from Woodland Hospital in Jowai to Woodland Hospital in Shillong, while Ramesh Busnat (51) is receiving treatment at Jowai Civil Hospital
Meanwhile, the names of those who died have not been officially confirmed from Meghalaya, but a Nepal news site 24 Ghanta Nepal identified two of the miners who lost their lives in the explosion.
The two deceased are brothers, identified as Purna Bahadur Khapangi Magar (27) and Surendra Khapangi Magar (24), residents of Salghari Bhanjyang in Ward no. one of Barahapokhari Rural Municipality in Nepal’s Khotang district. Both died on the spot in the blast.
The channel quoted Ward chairperson Dhak Bahadur Karki who said three other workers from the same village were injured in the explosion. They are Nar Bahadur Khapangi Magar (35), Bam Bahadur Khapangi Magar (45) and Karna Bahadur Khapangi Magar (40).
The condition of Nar Bahadur and Bam Bahadur was reported to be critical. Another Nepali worker, Lalit Bahadur Magar of Udayapur district, also suffered injuries in the incident, he said.
Of the seven Nepali workers employed at the mine, only Tarabal Magar of Barahapokhari escaped unhurt and later informed the families of the victims over the phone, the Ward Chairperson said.
Assam has confirmed that six workers from Cachar District died in the explosion. Among the deceased were two brothers, Anwar Hussain and Dilwar Hussain, residents of Sarishakuri village in Cachar, Purunjay Vaishnav, Nikunj Vaishnav, Faruk Ahmed and Krishna Vaishnav
Those injured are Saidur Rahman, Ramchandra Vaishnav, Niman Uddin, Krishnadhan Vaishnav and Bishnudhan Vaishnav were admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
