Shillong, Feb 9: The East Jaintia Hills district administration has closed the rescue & recovery operations in Mynsngat – Thangsko mine.
The closure report was submitted to the Chief Secretary on February 9 jointly by the deputy commissioner Manish Kumar and assistant commissioner Freddy Passah.
It is yet to be known whether the matter was intimated to the High Court of Meghalaya or the court-appointed BP Katakey commitee.
The text of the closure report below
Closure Report on the Search & Rescue Operations relating to the Coal Mine Explosion at a remote location called Mynsngat – Thangsko Area, East Jaintia Hills District
“The Coal Mine Explosion at a remote called Mynsngat -Thangsko Area, East Jaintia Hills District occurred on 5th February, 2025. On receipt of information Shri. C.P. Mawkon, MCS, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, Dr. R. Pyrtuh, BDO, Saipung C&RD Block & Executive Magistrate, Dr. Ritreki Toi, MO, Sutnga CHC, SI. O. Nongtdu, IC Umpleng Outpost & ABSI. S. Sympli, Umpleng Outpost rushed to the place of occurrence for spot enquiry and to ascertain the facts and circumstances of the incident.
On the night of 5th February, 2026, the team of the NDRF, SDRF and SRT reached the spot for the search and rescue operation. Local miners assisted the team during the operation. 18 (Eighteen) bodies were recovered and 8 (Eight) persons were found injured and required immediate medical assistance, who were subsequently referred and shifted to Jowai Civil Hospital, Jowai (1 Injured Person), Nazareth Hospital, Shillong (1 Injured Person) & NEIGRIHMS (6 Injured Persons).
On 6th February, 2026 the operation resumed and 4 (Four) bodies were recovered.
2 (Two) injured persons who were taken home by the family members also succumbed to their injuries and their bodies were shifted to Jowai Civil Hospital. 1 (One) injured person succumbed to his injury in NEIGRIHMS, Shillong.
On 7th February, 2026 the operation continued and during the first half of the operation 2 (Two) more bodies were recovered. During the second half of the operation no more bodies were recovered.
On 8th February, 2026 again a thorough search was made but no more bodies were recovered. The search continued again on the 9th February, 2026 and no more recoveries were made.
Having been satisfied with the efforts made by the Search and Rescue Team of the NDRF, SDRF, SRT and the Local Miners and their verbal opinion of no more dead bodies left, the operation was finally called off at 5: 00 P.M. on 9th February, 2026.
Hence, the Search and Rescue Operation is declared to be over”.
(Shri. Freddy Passah, MCS)
Assistant Commissioner & Incident Commander, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat.
(Shri Manish Kumar, IAS) Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat”.
Caption for photo: The blast site at Mynsngat – Thangsko (MM)
