At least nine workers are currently trapped inside a flooded coal mine in India's northeastern Assam state. The incident occurred in the Umrangso area in Dimapur Hasao district, approximately 125 miles south of the state capital, Guwahati. The workers became trapped on Monday morning when water from a nearby unused mine gushed in, leaving them stranded 300 feet below the ground.
Authorities have mobilized resources to aid in the rescue operation, with the army being summoned to assist. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with army soldiers and a national disaster management team utilizing ropes and cranes at the site.
Rescuers have discovered three helmets, slippers, and other items inside the mine. Divers have managed to dive into 35 to 40 feet of water within the mine, with the current water level estimated at 100 feet.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the mine in question appears to be illegal. One individual has been arrested as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reports from workers at the site suggest that over a dozen miners were initially trapped inside the mine, which lacked adequate safety measures. Some miners were able to escape as water from the nearby unused mine began to flood the area.
In India's eastern and northeastern regions, coal extraction often takes place in hazardous conditions within small 'rat hole' mines. These narrow pits in the ground are typically designed for a single person to descend and are prevalent in hilly areas. Miners often transport coal in boxes hoisted to the surface with pulleys or carry coal in baskets up wooden slats lining the mine walls.
Accidents in illegal mines are unfortunately common, with the livelihoods of those involved often dependent on the illicit sale of coal. In a similar incident in 2019, at least 15 miners lost their lives after becoming trapped in an illegal mine in Meghalaya state.
