Dima Hasao, (Assam) [India]: One body has been recovered, and eight miners remain trapped in an inundated coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso, in Dima Hasao. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army troops are continuing the rescue operations.
HPS Kandari, Commandant of the 1st Battalion of NDRF, spoke to media about the complexities of the rescue mission. He revealed that several attempts had been made the previous day but were unsuccessful. “Many attempts were made yesterday but we didn’t succeed… A joint team dived today (in the mine), and we have recovered one body,” Kandari said.
The collapse of the mine, which trapped several workers, has posed numerous challenges for the rescue teams due to hazardous underground conditions. Diving experts have been called upon to assist with the specialized rescue efforts. Kandari explained the unique dangers of the operation, stating, “Diving in other places is another thing, but in these situations, we need experts as we cannot guesstimate what conditions would be there inside. There can be several types of mining equipment which can hinder the rescue process.”
The mine is also reported to have multiple rat holes, complicating the search for survivors. Kandari elaborated on the difficulty of locating the trapped individuals: “We are told that there are rat holes down there – depending on where other people are trapped – this operation will continue.”
On Wednesday, the joint rescue operation, led by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, resumed early in the morning to continue the efforts to rescue the nine miners trapped in the coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, Dima Hasao. The operation had been temporarily halted the previous evening but resumed with full force today.
NDRF Deputy Commandant N. Tiwari confirmed that the operation is ongoing around the clock with an expanded team. “The operation was closed yesterday evening, and we have resumed the operation again this morning. We expect and hope to reach our miners as soon as possible and rescue them,” Tiwari said.
Meanwhile, one miner who worked at the site described the events leading to the accident: “A lot of people were in the mine, and suddenly people started shouting that water is filling. Around 30-35 people came up, and nearly 15-16 were still trapped.”