Meghalaya Coal mine blast toll climbs to 30, Judicial probe ordered

The death toll in the coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 30 after two more injured miners died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam, officials said on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as Ramchandra Baishnab and Nimaruddin from Katigorah in Cachar district , were among nine miners hospitalized following the blast that occurred on February 5 at an illegally operated coal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Mynsngat village.

Preliminary assessments link the incident to illegal rat-hole mining, a dangerous practice banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014. Officials suspect the explosion may have been caused by trapped methane gas or unsafe handling of explosives inside narrow mine shafts.

The Meghalaya government has ordered a judicial inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the blast and to fix responsibility. Police have registered a case against those involved in running the illegal mine and said action will follow once accountability is established .

The Assam government announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker from the state. At least eight labourers from Cachar district have died in the incident so far.

Authorities have directed district administrations to step up inspections to curb illegal mining, while rights groups have renewed calls for strict enforcement of the mining ban and safer livelihood alternatives for vulnerable workers.