Shillong, Feb 5: The death toll in the coal mine tragedy on Thursday in Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills, rose to 18.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma told reporters that the bodies of 18 people were recovered, and the injured coal miner was shifted to Ialong Civil Hospital, Jowai, West Jaintia Hills.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
“Pained by the mishap in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.
An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000”, Modi said.
Conrad said that
an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh will be given to the next of kin of the deceased from the Government of Meghalaya..
He deputed a two-member ministerial team to visit the area.
In a statement, Vikash Kumar, East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police said that information was received on the morning of February 5 regarding an explosion that had occurred at an illegal coal mine located at Mynsyngat, Thangsko area under Umpleng Police Outpost.
“On receipt of the information, senior police officers along with police personnel immediately proceeded to the place of occurrence. Upon verification, it was confirmed that an explosion had taken place inside an illegal coal mine, and several persons were suspected to be trapped. Rescue and disaster response operations were initiated without delay. During the course of the rescue operation, a total of 18 bodies have been recovered from the site of the explosion.
One injured person was rescued and initially shifted to Sutnga Community Health Centre (CHC) and subsequently referred to a higher medical centre for further treatment, the SP said.
“Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Special Rescue Team (SRT) are actively engaged at the site, and rescue and recovery efforts are continuing. In connection with the incident a suo-motu FIR has been registered vide Khliehriat PS case no 14/2026 U/s 105/118(2)/3(5) BNS R/W section 21/21(1) MMDR Act R/W section 3 Explosives Substances Act and investigation is on”, Kumar said.
‘If any person has any information about other miscreants involved in this illegal act, they are requested to inform the local police station immediately. Their identity shall be kept secret and suitable reward shall be given”, the SP said.
