NEW DELHI: The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) announced the recovery of another body early Saturday morning during efforts to monitor the water levels in the flooded rat-hole coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. This brings the total number of bodies recovered to two since rescue operations began.
The mine, located in Umrangso, was flooded on January 6 following a sudden water surge, trapping several workers. The body of a Nepalese worker was recovered earlier, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining trapped miners.
“We observed the water level in the morning and spotted a body, which was retrieved. Since the start of our operations, two bodies have been recovered, and the water level has receded by six meters,” said NDRF team commander Roshan Kumar Singh, as quoted by PTI.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences in a post on X, stating, “Rescue efforts in Umrangso continue with unwavering resolve. Tragically, another body was recovered this morning, with the identity yet to be confirmed. Our hearts go out to the grieving, as we hold on to hope and strength in this difficult time.”
Arrests Amid Rescue Operations
The operation’s progress was overshadowed by the arrest of Hanan Laskar, the leader of the trapped miners, on Thursday night. Laskar reportedly fled the site shortly after the flooding incident. Earlier, on Tuesday, quarry lease-holder Punish Nunisa was also taken into custody.
Despite assistance from Navy and Army personnel, the operation has made limited progress on its fifth day. Witnesses reported that the sudden influx of water gave workers little time to escape. While approximately 30-35 miners managed to flee, 15-16 workers remained trapped inside the 3-kilometer quarry.
A miner whose brother is among the trapped said, “Suddenly, people began shouting that water was filling the mine. Some escaped, but many couldn’t make it out in time.”
Political and Public Reactions
The incident has sparked outrage, with Congress organizing state-wide demonstrations on Friday to protest against what they termed an “illegal coal syndicate” operating in Assam. APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah criticized the state government, stating, “The failure of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s administration has been exposed with the tragic deaths of innocent labourers.”
As rescue operations continue, the tragedy has highlighted concerns over illegal mining practices and safety protocols in the region. Emergency teams, including mining experts and local authorities, remain committed to the ongoing efforts to save those still trapped.
