48-hour rescue ops underway for miners trapped 100 ft underground in flooded illegal coal mine in Assam

A major rescue operation is currently underway in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, where between nine and 15 miners remain trapped 300 feet underground in a flooded coal mine in Umrangso. The miners became trapped after the mine was inundated with water on January 6. Local sources indicated that around 40 miners were inside the mine when the flooding occurred, but the exact number of those trapped remains unclear due to unregulated operations. While some workers were able to escape, others are believed to be trapped in rat hole tunnels within the mine.

The operation entered its second day on Tuesday, with the Indian Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, and the National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF and SDRF) mobilized to the site. Army divers from the 21 Para Special Forces, along with Navy divers equipped with specialized underwater vehicles, were the first to conduct search operations in the mine’s flooded pit. Despite the use of water pumps and suction machines to drain the water, around 100 feet of water remained in the mine by Tuesday evening, complicating efforts to reach the trapped miners.

The mine, which has a 300-foot-deep central pit and branching rat hole tunnels, presents significant challenges to the rescue teams. Efforts to locate the miners have been hampered by the water levels and the mine's difficult terrain. Local authorities confirmed that some helmets and slippers were found floating on the surface of the water, raising concerns about possible fatalities. One body was recovered by rescue teams on Tuesday, though no survivors have been found so far. Divers from the Indian Navy arrived late Tuesday afternoon to assist with reconnaissance and provide additional support for the operation, which has been ongoing around the clock.

The mine has been identified as an illegal operation, with initial investigations revealing that it was not properly regulated. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the mine had been leased to a private entity by the Assam Mining Development Corporation, but it was operating without required safety measures or oversight. In connection with the incident, Punish Nunisa, the individual responsible for operating the mine, has been arrested. An FIR has been filed under sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Indian Penal Code, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The flooded mine's location, approximately six hours from the district headquarters in Haflong, has further slowed rescue efforts. The operation is being closely coordinated with the civil administration, with additional resources being provided by the state and Union governments. Chief Minister Sarma has also communicated with Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who directed Coal India to assist the state in the ongoing rescue operation. Rescue teams, including engineers, medical personnel, and specialized divers, continue to work tirelessly in hopes of locating and rescuing the remaining miners.