Meghalaya mine blast toll rises to 25 in East Jaintia Hills

Imphal: The death toll from the explosion at the illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills rose to 25.

The blast took place inside an unauthorised mine in the Mynsyngat-Thangskai area, under the jurisdiction of the Umpleng police outpost.

East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar Yadav said, "The total casualty is 25 now. Police has registered a suo motu FIR at Khliehriat police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, and the Explosives Substances Act. Two people have been arrested so far."


Yadav said further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the operation. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, and a special rescue unit are continuing rescue and search operations at the site.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a ban on rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific mining practices in Meghalaya in 2014, citing environmental damage and safety risks, while also restricting illegal transportation of coal extracted through such methods.