SHILLONG: The death toll from the devastating dynamite explosion at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has climbed to 30, marking one of the deadliest mining disasters the state has witnessed in recent years.
The grim figure was confirmed late Monday evening after Raju Tamang, who had been battling critical injuries, succumbed at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, at 6:21 pm. Despite sustained medical intervention, the severity of injuries caused by the February 5 blast proved fatal.
The tragedy has also deeply impacted neighbouring Assam. Two additional victims—Ramcharan Baisnab of Katigorah and Niman Uddin of Borkhola—died while undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH). With their deaths, the number of victims from Assam’s Cachar district has risen to eight, underlining the heavy toll on migrant labourers and their families.
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As public outrage mounts, the Meghalaya government has stepped up enforcement. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong confirmed that police have arrested two key suspects linked to the illegal mining operation.
“The police are extracting all details from those arrested. We will go after everyone involved—those working inside the mines and the masterminds behind these illegal activities,” Tynsong said.
Meanwhile, rescue and recovery operations have been called off after officials stated that no more person is left behind the collapsed mine.
The incident has once again brought Meghalaya’s long-standing issue of illegal coal mining into sharp focus, raising serious questions about enforcement failures, worker safety, and accountability.
