Several Workers Trapped In Coal Mine In Assam's Dima Hasao

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the state has requested assistance from the Army to strengthen the ongoing rescue efforts.

An illegal coal mine in Assam collapsed, trapping multiple workers.

Source : ANI

Several workers are feared trapped inside a 'rat hole' coal mine after water entered into the 300-foot-deep quarry in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. The illegal mine is located in Umrangso, a remote industrial town near the Meghalaya border, and the full scale of the tragedy remains unclear.

India Today sources indicated that around 100 feet of the mine is now submerged, severely hindering rescue operations. Meantime, the specialised teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are heading to the site to aid in the rescue mission.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the state has requested assistance from the Army to strengthen the ongoing rescue efforts. "Distressing news from Umrangso. Labourers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The DC, SP, and my colleague, Shri Kaushik Rai, are rushing to the site. Praying to God for everyone’s safety," CM Himanta said on post X.

We have requested the Army’s assistance in the ongoing rescue operation. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also on their way to the incident site to aid in the efforts. https://t.co/35ET3f80jr

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 6, 2025

"We have requested the Army’s assistance in the ongoing rescue operation. The State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force are also on their way to the incident site to aid in the efforts," he also said.

We Don’t Know What Caused Flooding: District Magistrate

District magistrate Simanta Das told The New Indian Express, "We are on our way to the place. We have not been able to collect proper information so far. According to preliminary information that we have received from the Umrangso police station, four to six people were trapped due to flooding in the coal mine. We don’t know what caused the flooding."

DM confirmed that an assessment would proceed by Monday night for a rescue operation that is supposed to be held on Tuesday morning.

DM reported that the group leader of miners fled from the scene after the incident occurred. "Normally, a list containing the names and total number of miners is maintained by the team leader when they go down into a coal mine,” he said.

“The Assam Mines and Minerals Department monitors issues over mines. We have asked the department to send an officer to coordinate the rescue operation. The SDRF will be engaged in the rescue operation. We will call the NDRF if required. We were told one Nunisa is the owner of the coal mine,” he added.