Dima Hasao: In an ongoing rescue operation at a rat-hole coal mine in the 3 Kilo, Umrangso area of Assam’s Dima Hasao district, rescue teams recovered another body on Saturday morning, bringing the total number of fatalities to two.
The body, identified as Lijan Magar, 26, a resident of Kalamata in Dima Hasao, was retrieved by Army and NDRF personnel around 7:30 am.
Expressing his condolences on social media platform X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, said, “Rescue efforts in Umrangso continue with unwavering resolve. Tragically, another body was recovered this morning, with the identity yet to be confirmed. Our hearts go out to the grieving, as we hold onto hope and strength in this difficult time.”
Rescue efforts in Umrangsu continue with unwavering resolve. Tragically, another body was recovered this morning, with the identity yet to be confirmed. Our hearts go out to the grieving, as we hold onto hope and strength in this difficult time. https://t.co/sELQOdPFW1
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 11, 2025
The rescue operation continues with the concerted efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, and the Assam Rifles.
According to Roushan Kumar Singh, Inspector of the 1st Battalion of NDRF, the body was recovered by the team around 7:30 a.m. following a routine check of the water level, which had decreased by six meters due to overnight dewatering efforts using five pumps.
On January 8, the body of Ganga Bahadur Shreth, a resident of Udayapur district in Nepal, was recovered from the flooded mine.
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A specialized 12-member rescue team from Coal India arrived at the site on Friday to assist in locating and rescuing the remaining eight trapped miners.
In response to the tragic incident, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the registration of an FIR and the arrest of Punish Nunisa.
The FIR, filed under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, revealed that the mine was operating illegally.
