Nine Miners Trapped in Flooded Indian Coal Mine Amid Rescue Efforts

INIndia|

At least nine miners are currently trapped in a flooded coal mine located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam state, northeast India. The incident occurred on Monday morning when water from an adjacent unused mine began to rapidly fill the worksite. While some miners managed to escape, reports indicate that at least three miners are feared dead.

Rescue teams have been deployed to locate the trapped miners, with local authorities confirming that three bodies have been spotted but remain unrecovered. The well from which the miners are trapped is approximately 150 feet deep, with nearly 100 feet submerged in water. Local minister Kaushik Rai stated that multiple rescue attempts have allowed teams to reach depths of 30 to 35 feet.

The mine is reportedly illegal and under the control of the state government. Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, confirmed that one individual has been arrested in connection with the incident. Police chief Mayank Kumar suggested that the miners likely hit a water channel, leading to the flooding.

To aid the rescue efforts, the Indian army has mobilized divers, helicopters, and engineers. Teams are utilizing specialized equipment such as cranes and pulleys to reach the miners.

Unfortunately, accidents in these illegal "rat hole" mines are common. A similar incident in 2019 in the neighboring state of Meghalaya resulted in at least 15 miners being buried due to flooding.

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