Assam: 9 Still Trapped As Water Level Nears 100 Feet In 'Illegal' Coal Mine, Police Deny Finding 3 Bodies
Nine workers are trapped in a flooded coal mine in Assam. Rescue efforts include dewatering and divers from the navy, army, NDRF, and SDRF. The mine appears to be illegal, CM Himanta Sarma said.
Assam Coal Mine News: Efforts to rescue nine workers trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district intensified on Tuesday, with personnel from the navy, army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working in coordination. The labourers were trapped on Monday after a sudden influx of water inundated the mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso. Dewatering efforts are underway as water rose to nearly 100 feet.
VIDEO | Assam: Several workers trapped inside a coal mine in Dima Hasao district. Rescue operation has been underway since yesterday. More details awaited.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 7, 2025
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, earlier today, stated that the coal mine in Dima Hasao district, where workers… pic.twitter.com/FAxMSScs1Y
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the mine appeared to be operating illegally. “Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case,” he stated in a post on X. The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa… https://t.co/P21Xv6HT9V
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 7, 2025
Speaking about the rescue efforts, CM Sarma said specialised navy divers were deployed from Visakhapatnam to assist local authorities. “The divers reached the surface but could not find any person or bodies, except for a few shoes and sandals. It is presumed that the labourers could have entered the tunnels inside the quarry,” the chief minister remarked, as per news agency PTI.
Special Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, who is overseeing the operations, said that divers from the navy, army, NDRF, and SDRF are alternately conducting searches inside the 340-foot-deep quarry. “We are primarily concentrating on rescuing the workers on the directions of the chief minister, who is personally monitoring the entire operation,” Singh said. He added that dewatering efforts are underway to lower the water level, which had risen to nearly 100 feet.
Assam Coal Mine News: Dima Hasao SP Dismisses Death Reports, Navy Team Joins Rescue Ops
Dima Hasao Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar Jha refuted reports suggesting that three workers were feared dead. “No bodies have been found so far. Operations are ongoing to rescue the miners,” Jha clarified.
A 35-member NDRF team, led by Commandant HPS Kandari, is actively involved in the operations. Additionally, a specialised relief task force of the army and Assam Rifles, comprising divers and engineers, has made multiple diving attempts. “Engineers of the Indian Army are assisting the civil administration in dewatering the mine and providing adequate lighting for night operations,” a defence spokesperson said, as per PTI.
Harmeet Singh, Assam Special Director General of Police (DGP) informed that a Navy team joined the rescue operation. "Let us first focus on the rescue and the investigation of this particular case. The Navy team has just arrived. Indian Army, Special forces divers have done one reccy. SDRF and NDRF have one-one reccy. The Navy has further deep-diving equipment. They also have an ROV (Remove Operated Vehicle)...We are concentrating here on the rescue and the case has been taken and an investigating officer is following up on the lead," he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
#WATCH | Dima Hasao: Harmeet Singh, Assam Special DGP says "Let us first focus on the rescue and the investigation of this particular case. The Navy team has just arrived. Indian Army, Special forces divers have done one reccy. SDRF and NDRF have one 1 reccy. The Navy has further… https://t.co/y9JX9l5K42 pic.twitter.com/RouWkz7dJ1
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025
Chief Minister Sarma expressed gratitude to the army for their prompt support, stating, “Much gratitude for this quick response. We are deploying all possible efforts to ensure the safe return of our miners.” He also shared the names of the trapped labourers: Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary.
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Assam Coal Mine News: Congress Demands SIT Probe
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi expressed concern over the incident and demanded a prober under a Special Investigation Team.
"We are deeply concerned about the incident and pray for the safe rescue of the miners. We have information that the army and navy are actively involved in the rescue operation. While we hope for their reunion with their families, we also demand a full investigation under an SIT," he said, as quoted by PTI.
VIDEO | Here's what Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) said on Dima Hasao coal mine tragedy in Assam.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 7, 2025
"We are deeply concerned about the incident and pray for the safe rescue of the miners. We have information that the army and navy are actively involved in the rescue… pic.twitter.com/KEN7mOrm1F
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the flooding occurred suddenly, leaving the workers unable to escape, PTI reported. Sarma has also reached out to Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, who assured him that a team from Coal India would join the rescue operations on Wednesday.
Rescue operations, which have continued non-stop since Monday, remain focused on locating and saving the trapped labourers.
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