Tragic Coal Mine Accident in Assam Claims More Lives
In a heartbreaking incident at a coal mine in Assam, rescue teams have retrieved three more bodies, raising the death toll to four. The search for additional workers, who have been missing since Monday, continues in the 300-feet deep flooded quarry, according to officials.
Rescue operations involve multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the army, the navy, and local police. The efforts have entered their sixth day, but the exact number of missing workers remains uncertain, as the mine’s illegal operations lacked proper record-keeping.
GD Tripathi, the CEO of Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), reported that drone cameras were used to locate the bodies of the trapped workers, which were subsequently retrieved by divers. He noted that the bodies had swollen from being submerged for nearly a week, making them float closer to the surface for easier recovery.
The deceased workers have been identified as Ligen Magar (27), Khushi Mohan Rai (57), and Sarat Goyary (37), all from different districts in Assam. Earlier, on Wednesday, the body of Ganga Bahadur Shrestha (38), a resident of Nepal, was also recovered.
Local residents indicated that around 40 workers had entered the mine early on Monday. They believe that the workers accidentally struck an underground water source, which led to the flooding. While many escaped, between nine and 15 individuals were left trapped.
The rescue operations were initially halted on Thursday due to the challenges posed by roughly 100 feet of water. Officials highlighted that an underground aquifer was continuously flooding the mine. However, progress resumed when rescuers successfully started draining water from the quarry.
A representative from the NDRF mentioned they have reduced the water level by approximately 59 feet, but about 39 feet still remains. A powerful pump provided by Coal India Limited is expected to assist in draining the mine by Sunday afternoon.
Authorities emphasized the importance of dewatering the site to locate the trapped workers, who may be stuck in debris within a network of underground tunnels commonly referred to as "rat hole mines." The murky waters and low visibility have complicated search efforts.
The mine, located in a remote Assam district, is part of an area known for unregulated and unsafe mining practices. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the mine had been abandoned for over a decade and labeled the recent operation as illegal. So far, two individuals associated with the mine’s operation have been arrested.
Concerns have been raised by local leaders, including Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, regarding the persistent illegal mining activities in Assam. He stressed the need for a thorough investigation into this incident and called for accountability for those responsible.
Gogoi stated that the presence of numerous rat hole mines, often used despite being banned due to safety and environmental risks, further complicates rescue efforts. He expressed the necessity for addressing broader issues of safety, corruption, and environmental damage, emphasizing that families of the victims deserve justice and that such tragedies should be prevented in the future.
