Shillong: In a breaking development, 16 labourers were killed after blast in illegal Meghalaya coal mine. The incident happened hear a suspected illegal coal mine in the Thangsko area of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, officials said.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by the use of high-intensity dynamite for mining operations, led to the collapse of adjoining mine shafts, trapping workers deep underground and raising fears of additional casualties.
Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills, Vikash Kumar, confirmed the incident and said police teams, along with disaster management personnel, were rushed to the spot soon after the explosion was reported.
“We have confirmed that the incident occurred this morning. Immediate steps have been taken, and assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been sought to carry out rescue operations,” Kumar told reporters.
