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Meghalaya Coal Mine Blast: Death Toll Rises to 18, Six from Katigorah

By barakbulletin

At least 18 people have died after a powerful dynamite explosion inside an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills, with six of the deceased identified as workers from Cachar’s Katigorah. Rescue teams are continuing operations at the site as fears remain that the death toll may rise.

The blast occurred inside an “illegal” coal mine in Mynsyngat Village, Thangsko area of Elaka Sutnga, under Saipung C&RD Block, Meghalaya, on Thursday (February 5). Officials said more than 50 workers were rescued with injuries. Several of them are in critical condition. Five injured workers have been admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, while others are undergoing treatment in hospitals in Shillong and Khliehriat. Teams from the State and National Disaster Response Force are carrying out search and rescue operations at the accident site.

The District Commissioner of Cachar, said on social media that the blast occurred at a coal mine worksite in Mynsyngat village under Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. He added that a coordinated rescue response began at 9.55 am, with SDRF, SRT and NDRF teams, along with medical units, ambulances and security forces, deployed, while the Army and Air Force remain on standby if further assistance is needed.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Cachar, said that six people from the district have so far been confirmed dead. He added that the police are assisting in bringing the bodies back home. “As of now, six people from Cachar have been confirmed dead. We are helping to bring back the bodies. Since the incident occurred in another state, I cannot comment much on it,” he said.

The six deceased workers are from the Katigorah area and have been identified as Dildar Hussain and Anwar Hussain of Sarishakuri, Faruk Ahmed of Bihara, brothers Puranjay Baishnab and Nikunja Baishnab of Gumra Rajpur, and Krishna Baishnab of Gumra.

Following the incident, the Cachar administration opened a control room to assist families seeking information about workers employed in the illegal coal mines of Meghalaya. The helpline numbers are 03842-239249 and 940162414. Additional Deputy Commissioner Raktim Baruah and the Circle Officer of Katigorah are present at the site.

The blast took place on Thursday, 5 February. Visuals from the scene showed people crying and calling for help, with one worker alleging that over 500 workers had entered the mine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “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”.

On Friday, MLA Kamakhya Dey Purkayastha met the families of victims from Katigorah and assured support. He said the Chief Minister had announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and free treatment for the injured. He also stated that additional financial help for injured workers would be discussed with the government.

Speaking to the media, the MLA confirmed that several workers from West Katigorah were among the victims and that more bodies were being recovered. A family member said they reached the location after receiving news of the accident and saw many bodies, some of which were difficult to identify. They feared more workers were still trapped inside.

It should be noted that the coal mine has been confirmed to be operating illegally, with workers reportedly employed from across state borders. The incident has raised serious questions about how such an unauthorised operation continued without drawing the attention of the authorities.

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