Dima Hasao: The body of one of the nine workers trapped inside a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district was recovered by army divers on Wednesday on the third day of the rescue operations, officials said. According to a statement from an NDRF official, one body has been recovered by the divers of NDRF, the Indian army.
The chances of the survival of the eight others appear grim, though a team of navy, army, NDRF and SDRF personnel intensified their efforts to rescue the trapped miners, they said. The joint rescue operation resumed early Wednesday morning to rescue nine miners trapped in a coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, Dima Hasao.
Meanwhile, despite using the high-tech sonar equipment brought by the Indian Navy team, the joint rescue team is yet to trace the eight ill-fated miners, who had remained trapped inside the coal mine.
With the high water level inside the flooded coal mine, the Indian Navy team on Wednesday used the sonar equipment to detect the trapped miners. Sonar equipment works by emitting sound waves into the water and detecting the reflected echoes. The rescuers, however, could fish out the body of one of the trapped miners on Wednesday morning.
On the other hand, the water level of the coal mine is still very high which is affecting the rescue operations, the officials said. However, the eight others still remained trapped inside the ill-fated coal mine, which got flooded on Monday. "Deep diving was conducted by the NDRF team today," officials said, adding that heavy-duty motor Pumps have reached the incident site from ONGC Silchar and efforts are on to dewater the mine.
"The rescue teams have been measuring the water level constantly after dewatering and efforts are also on to bring a heavy suction pump for dewatering so that water level could be reduced.
NDRF officials who had been carrying out the rescue operations said that the water level is quite high inside the mine. "The total depth of the coal mine is more than 300 feet and we are trying to pump out the water level. Inside the mine there are horizontal chambers where the workers were probably working. Unless the water level is reduced it is difficult to trace the trapped miners," said the official on condition of anonymity.
On Tuesday, the operation had to be temporarily halted the previous evening but was restarted today monring. According to NDRF Deputy Commandant, N. Tiwari, the efforts are continuing round-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," he said.
Tiwari added that the combined forces of the NDRF and the Army are working on the ground, with support expected from the Navy in the coming hours.
"Everyone from our commandant, our team, the army are here. Later, the officials from the Navy will also join the rescue operation," he said
A miner who worked in the mine said, "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." Meanwhile, as the rescue operation continued in Umrangso, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced the registration of an FIR and the arrest of one individual in connection with the incident.
21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family. https://t.co/y9bUP6tn4H
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 8, 2025
In a post on X, Sarma informed, "The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case."
The CM had also discussed the rescue operation with Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy and sought assistance.
"I also spoke to Hon'ble Union Coal Minister, Shri @kishanreddybjp, seeking assistance for our rescue operation in Umrangsu. He has promptly issued directions to @CoalIndiaHQ to extend full support to the Assam government in this mission. My sincere gratitude to him for his swift response and support," CM Sarma posted on X. (With agency inputs).
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