Nine miners remain trapped in a flooded coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, with three feared dead. Rescue operations involving the Army, NDRF, and SDRF are underway. Rising water levels complicate the efforts.
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In a devastating incident in Dima Hasao district, Assam, nine miners remain trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Umrangso, with three feared dead. Authorities, including the Indian Army, NDRF, and SDRF, are racing against time to rescue the miners. The tragedy, which unfolded on January 6, 2025, has highlighted the precarious conditions of coal mining in the region.
Key Developments
Details of the Incident
- The accident occurred in a 300-foot deep coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso.
- A sudden gush of water from an internal source flooded the mine, trapping the workers.
- According to eyewitnesses, 15 miners were inside the mine when the flooding began, though authorities confirmed nine names:
- Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary.
Rescue Operations
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the deployment of Navy divers from Visakhapatnam, who are expected to arrive shortly.
- Teams from the Army, NDRF, and SDRF are on-site, utilizing ropes, cranes, and water pumps.
- Two water pumping machines have been deployed to lower the water level.
- The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Army, stating:
- "Much gratitude for this quick response. We are deploying all possible efforts to ensure the safe return of our miners."
Challenges in the Rescue
- The water inside the mine has risen to nearly 100 feet, complicating rescue efforts.
- Army engineers, divers, and medical teams are working alongside civil administration to locate and retrieve the trapped workers.
- As of now, no workers have been brought out, though three bodies have been spotted.
Historical Context
- Coal mining accidents are not uncommon in northeastern India.
- In 2019, a similar disaster in Meghalaya claimed the lives of 15 miners when an illegal mine was flooded by a nearby river.
Reactions and Next Steps
- The Chief Minister assured continuous efforts:
- “Distressing news from Umrangso, where labourers are trapped in a coal mine... Praying to God for everyone's safety.”
- Local officials and experts are investigating the cause, with initial assessments pointing to the miners hitting a water channel, which caused the flooding.
Source: Telegraph India, Al-Jazeera, ABP News
