Khliehriat(Meghalaya, June 2: SDRF personnel pulled out the body of a 41-year-old man from a 120-foot abandoned coal mine near the old DC Office here after six days of round-the-clock work.
The man fell into the mine on May 26 while fetching drinking water. The 1st SDRF Battalion from Shillong was mobilized on May 27 but fading light and unsafe conditions stalled work that day.
With about 40 feet of water inside, the team, aided by the victim’s family and locals running pumps, kept lowering the level. On June 1 at 1830 hours, four SDRF rescuers and two volunteers descended and recovered the body around 2100 hours. Police have taken custody.
The Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards credited the operation to the team’s courage and professionalism under hazardous conditions, and thanked residents for their support.
