Shillong: Rescue and recovery operations at the Mynsngat–Thangsko coal mine site in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district have been formally concluded, with the district administration submitting a detailed closure report to the Chief Secretary on February 9.
The report, jointly signed by Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar and Assistant Commissioner Freddy Passah, stated that the decision to wind up operations was taken after multiple days of intensive search efforts and confirmation from rescue teams that no further bodies were likely to be found.
The coal mine explosion occurred on February 5, 2026, in the remote Mynsngat–Thangsko area has claimed 30 lives.
Soon after information was received, a team of district officials, including the additional deputy commissioner, block development officer, executive magistrate, medical officers and police personnel, rushed to the site to conduct a spot enquiry and assess the circumstances of the incident.
Later that night, joint teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Special Rescue Team (SRT) arrived and launched large-scale search and rescue operations, assisted by local miners.
During the initial phase, 18 bodies were recovered, while eight injured persons were rescued and provided emergency medical care. The injured were shifted to Jowai Civil Hospital, Nazareth Hospital in Shillong and NEIGRIHMS.
Operations resumed on February 6, when four more bodies were recovered.
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On the same day, two injured persons who had been taken home by their families later succumbed to their injuries and were brought to Jowai Civil Hospital, while another injured victim died at NEIGRIHMS in Shillong.
Search efforts continued on February 7, leading to the recovery of two additional bodies in the first half of the day, though no further recoveries were made in the latter part of the operation.
Thorough searches were again conducted on February 8 and February 9, but no more bodies were found.
After sustained multi-day operations and based on the assessment and verbal confirmation of the NDRF, SDRF, SRT and assisting local miners that no victims remained trapped, the rescue and recovery mission was officially called off at 5 pm on February 9, 2026, the administration said.
The closure statement was issued by Assistant Commissioner and Incident Commander Freddy Passah and Deputy Commissioner Manish Kumar, confirming the formal end of the operation at the Mynsngat–Thangsko mine site.
