In a tragic turn of events, rescue teams in Assam’s Dima Hasao district recovered a body from a coal mine two days after water inundated the mine, trapping nine workers. The incident occurred at the Umrangso coal mine, located in the 3 Kilo area of the district, which is known for its mining activities. Despite the ongoing efforts to locate the remaining workers, many are still believed to be trapped deep inside the quarry.
The operation to retrieve the trapped workers has been challenging, given the difficult conditions and the rising water levels inside the mine. The 21 Para Divers were flown in from Visakhapatnam and conducted a preliminary survey before entering the mine. They successfully recovered one body from the bottom of the mine’s well. In addition to the divers, personnel from the Navy, Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been involved in the rescue operations, working tirelessly to extract the workers and bring them to safety.
According to the rescue teams, the water level inside the mine has risen to nearly 100 feet, significantly hampering the operations. In response, the SDRF deployed de-watering pumps to the site, while ONGC’s de-watering pump, which was being transported via an MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhigram, is awaiting weather clearance for deployment. Despite these obstacles, the rescue teams are determined to continue their efforts and locate the remaining workers trapped inside the 340-feet-deep quarry.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a statement, revealed that he had spoken to Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, who assured that a team from Coal India would be joining the rescue efforts starting Wednesday. The Chief Minister also confirmed that the authorities had arrested a person in connection with the incident, with police suspecting that the mine may have been operating illegally. He stated that police have filed an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing violations of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and the investigation is ongoing.
The victims who were trapped inside the mine have been identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary. Their families have been anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones, as rescue operations continue in the hope of finding survivors.
As the recovery and rescue operations continue, the tragedy has brought to light the dangers associated with mining activities in the region. It also raises concerns about the safety standards and regulatory oversight of such operations. The Chief Minister has promised to ensure a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mine’s operation and to take appropriate actions to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with many calling for stronger enforcement of safety regulations in the mining sector. Authorities are now focused on completing the rescue mission and providing support to the families of the victims, while also taking steps to hold those responsible for the illegal mine accountable. The outcome of the investigation is eagerly awaited by the local community and the nation.
