Meghalaya Illegal Coal Mine Blast Kills 10 Labourers, Raises Safety Questions

Jaintia Hills(Meghalaya)[India] February 05: A powerful blast killed ten labourers at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. The incident happened in the remote Thangsku area on Thursday. Police confirmed the deaths after receiving local alerts. One injured worker was rushed to a hospital in Shillong. Rescue work could not start immediately because the mine is located deep inside forest land. Narrow paths and poor road access delayed help. Locals said the area has long been known for unsafe coal mining. The explosion shocked nearby villages. People asked how such mines still function openly.

Illegal Coal Mining Suspected

Police believe the blast occurred during illegal coal extraction work. Now, officials have also spoken. They said the site was not authorised for mining. Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar shared the info. He stated that initial information points to illegal activity. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation and mining tools and explosives are suspected. District officers admitted that many such mines operate secretly. They often reopen after being shut earlier. Labourers work without safety gear. Many are migrants. Locals questioned why rules exist only on paper. They asked who allowed work at such a risky site again.

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Rescue Teams Delayed By Terrain And Poor Access

The mine is located far from main roads. Police said rescue teams could not reach immediately. National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams were sent later. Officials said reaching the site itself is a challenge. Heavy equipment cannot move easily. Villagers tried helping before authorities arrived. Bodies could not be retrieved quickly. Families waited in fear. One survivor was taken out with serious injuries. People online criticised slow response. Many asked why emergency plans are missing in known mining zones. The delay raised serious safety concerns.

History Of Illegal Mining And Past Fatal Accidents

East Jaintia Hills has a long way back history of illegal coal mining. Such mining continues quietly despite bans. Earlier also in December last year, two labourers died in a similar blast in the same district. That incident led to Meghalaya Human Rights Commission action. A high court monitoring committee was also involved. Earlier this year, another worker died after falling into an illegal mine at Umthe village. That site was sealed. Yet new mines appeared nearby. Locals say enforcement fades with time. The pattern keeps repeating. Lives keep getting lost.

Public Anger Grows As Questions Flood Social Media

After news broke, social media filled with angry reactions. Many questioned the system. People asked why poor labourers are sent into death traps. Some demanded strict action against mine owners. Others blamed officials for ignoring warnings. Activists said illegal mining survives due to local support networks. Families of workers want justice. Police said an inquiry has started. They promised accountability. But people remain doubtful. Past cases saw little punishment. The incident reopened debate on coal mining safety in Meghalaya. The question remains clear. Will this tragedy finally bring change?