Shillong (Meghalaya), Feb 6: A devastating dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has claimed 20 lives, with several others feared trapped. The blast, which occurred on February 5, has triggered widespread outrage and raised concerns about the safety of rat-hole mining, a practice banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014.
According to officials, the death toll has risen to 20, with one body recovered from the site and one injured victim, NorBahadur, 35, succumbing to severe burn injuries and multiple organ failure at NEIGRIHMS hospital. Two others, Raju Tamang and Jamil Ahmed, are in critical condition with 75-80% burn injuries and are on ventilator support.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, while Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has announced ₹3 lakh ex-gratia. Two mine owners have been arrested, and an investigation is underway.
Rescue operations are ongoing, but toxic gas in the mine has hindered efforts. “The presence of toxic gas is making it difficult for the rescue teams to reach the trapped miners,” said a senior official.
The incident has sparked protests and demands for stricter enforcement of mining regulations. Sources indicate that the government is under pressure to take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
