Guwahati: The death toll of Assam labourers in the illegal coal mine explosion in Meghalaya rose to six after three more victims from the state were identified on Friday, Deputy Commissioner Aayush Garg said.
“As per verified information, six deceased persons from Cachar district have been identified in connection with the incident,” Garg said in an official statement.
The victims from Cachar include two brothers, Anwar Hussain and Dilwar Hussain of Sarishakuri village, who had gone to Meghalaya in search of work to support their families. The other deceased have been identified as Purunjay Vaishnav, Nikunj Vaishnav, Faruk Ahmed and Krishna Vaishnav. All of them were reportedly working inside the mine at the time of the explosion.
Five injured labourers from Cachar — Saidur Rahman, Ramchandra Vaishnav, Niman Uddin, Krishnadhan Vaishnav and Bishnudhan Vaishnav — have been admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).
Hospital authorities said two of the injured remain in critical condition and are being treated in the intensive care unit.
A team of senior officials from Cachar district reached the incident site to oversee rescue operations and coordinate response measures.
An explosion at the mine in East Jaintia Hills district of the adjoining state on Thursday has so far claimed 25 lives, with the authorities launching large-scale search and rescue operations involving multiple agencies.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Special Rescue Team (SRT) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been pressed into service. Medical teams from Jowai and Shillong, along with ambulances for emergency evacuation, are deployed at the site. BSF personnel equipped with medical support facilities have also been mobilised, while the Army and the Air Force remain on standby.
Senior officials, including Roktim Baruah, ADC & CEO, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Cachar, along with the Circle Officer, Katigorah, and Field Officers (DM) from Katigorah and Silchar, are overseeing coordination and support measures.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya coal mine tragedy: Cachar administration assists rescue efforts at incident site
“The situation is being closely monitored at the highest administrative level, and all necessary logistics, medical services and coordination mechanisms have been activated,” Garg said, adding that the Cachar district administration remains committed to providing full administrative and humanitarian assistance to the affected families.
