At least 18 dead in Meghalaya coal mine blast, several trapped: What we know so far

At least 18 people were killed, eight have gone missing, and more are feared trapped after an explosion on Thursday at an illegal coal mine in the Thangsku area of Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, an official said.

An initial probe into the blast claims that safety standards were also being ignored at the illegal mine, which has been sealed after the tragedy. 

The blast took place at around 10 AM in a 'rat-hole' mine, which are so named because their tunnels are just big enough for workers to get through, the district's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Manish Kumar, told Reuters.

Rescue operations are already underway, but attempts to reach the miners have been suspended due to a lack of equipment, Kumar added.

"The exact number of labourers present inside the mine at the time of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. More people are feared trapped," Director General of Police I. Nongrang told PTI.

Rat-hole mines were once used extensively in the northeastern states, but were banned in 2014 due to the large number of fatalities and the environmental damage these caused over the years.

In fact, the Thursday blast comes just a day after a single-judge committee of the Meghalaya High Court—led by retired Justice B.P. Katakey—reportedly issued strong comments about illegal coal mining in the state.

The committee had directed strict monitoring, regular patrolling, and action against errant officials to curb illegal mining in sensitive areas like the East Jaintia Hills. 

"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," read a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office on X, condoling the victims' families.

"The Government of Meghalaya has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. Accountability will be fixed, and those responsible will face strict legal action. There will be no compromise when it comes to the safety of lives," wrote Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma in an X post.