Meghalaya Mine Blast Kills 18 Laborers

A devastating suspected dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday morning claimed the lives of at least 18 laborers. The incident took place in Mynsyngat, where workers were inside narrow underground shafts when the blast occurred. Rescue operations were suspended due to darkness, poor visibility, and the potential presence of poisonous gases, with 18 bodies recovered by Thursday evening.

Rat-hole mining, the method employed at the site, involves digging small vertical pits and narrow horizontal tunnels for coal extraction. This labor-intensive and highly hazardous practice has been banned since 2014 by the National Green Tribunal due to severe environmental damage and risks to human life. Despite the ban, it persists in the state, often employing children due to the confined spaces. Several fatal accidents, including flooding and suffocation, have been reported over the years.