Khliehriat, February 5 : At least 18 people were killed and one person injured following a powerful explosion inside an illegal coal mine at Mynsyngat in the Thangsko area under Umpleng Police Outpost, East Jaintia Hills district, police confirmed on Wednesday .
According to the district police, information about the blast was received on the morning of February 5, after which senior officers and personnel rushed to the site . Initial verification revealed that several labourers were trapped inside the mine after the explosion .
Rescue and disaster response operations were launched immediately involving teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Special Rescue Team (SRT) . During the operation, 18 bodies were recovered from inside the mine . One injured person was rescued and first taken to Sutnga Community Health Centre before being referred to a higher medical facility for advanced treatment .
Police have registered a suo-motu case at Khliehriat Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the MMDR Act and the Explosive Substances Act, and an investigation is underway .
Authorities have appealed to the public to share any information regarding those involved in the illegal mining activity, assuring confidentiality and a suitable reward for credible inputs .
Rescue and recovery efforts were continuing at the site till the filing of this report .
