Assam Coal Mine Tragedy: One Miner’s Body Found, 8 Trapped In Flooded Shaft

The body of one of the nine miners trapped inside the flooded ‘rat hole’ coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district was retrieved on Wednesday. As many as eight workers are still stuck in the perilous mine. According to the reports, the rescue team continued its operations at the mine with full fervour, as this tragic incident is a recent event in Assam’s remote Umrangso region.

The mining accident took place in the Umrangso region, a remote industrial town near the Assam-Meghalaya border. The mine, reportedly illegal and 300 feet underground, was flooded by heavy rains that flooded the mine on Monday. Nine miners were trapped, with floodwaters filling about 100 feet of the mine shaft.

The rescue of the remaining miners is a continuing operation that involves multiple agencies, including the Indian Army, the Navy, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who are all working together in challenging and dangerous conditions.

Specialized Equipment Deployed In Rescue Ops

The search and rescue operation has witnessed the deployment of a range of specialized equipment to address the complicated situation. The Indian Navy, known for its expertise in handling underwater operations, has sent divers and advanced underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to aid in the recovery efforts.

These ROVs are equipped with sonar systems that have been vital in mapping the submerged shafts of the mine and providing rescuers with the necessary data to navigate the treacherous underwater environment.

The NDRF is providing substantial logistical support, including setting up safety lines and coordinating surface-level operations. A significant part of their work has been managing the dewatering of the mine. However, this has been a slow process because of the high water table and continued seepage into the mine, making the situation even more perilous for both the trapped miners and the rescuers.

Tough Terrain Slows Progress

Rescue teams are encountering severe challenges to reach the trapped miners. They are passing through narrow, unstable mine shafts with debris and strong water currents while working in near-zero visibility. Every minute of the rescue effort is now critical due to treacherous conditions, where rescuers must weigh their safety against the need to free miners who are still trapped inside the mine.

Despite these setbacks, the efforts put together by the Army, Navy, and NDRF have been able to make great contributions. One body recovered so far is the first major breakthrough in the rescue mission. Rescue teams are still working hard, as divers are exploring underwater parts of the mine to look for the miners who are yet to be rescued.

The Assam state government has assured full cooperation in the rescue operations in the wake of the ongoing crisis. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the government is committed, saying, “We are doing everything possible to rescue those trapped and to support their families during this difficult time.”

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