Assam Coal Mine Tragedy: Navy Divers Persist in Search for Missing Miners
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Guwahati, Jan 9 (NationPress) The dedicated efforts of specialized Indian Navy divers are ongoing at the coal mine situated in Umrangso, part of the Dima Hasao district in Assam, where officials confirmed that a minimum of eight laborers are still trapped inside, as reported on Thursday.
A senior district official indicated that the navy divers commenced their operations in the morning after conducting inspections of various tunnels using Remote Operating Vehicles (ROVs). Their primary goal has been to locate the trapped miners.
Harmeet Singh, Special DGP of Assam Police overseeing the rescue mission, previously stated, “The de-watering of the tunnel has been completed; however, there are areas that continue to channel water back into the tunnel. We have been deploying small pumps to remove water from the tunnel while simultaneously, the navy divers are searching the tunnels for rescue opportunities. Unfortunately, they have not yet found anything.”
He also noted that the Indian Navy's rescue unit is utilizing a Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) to explore the interior of the coal mine.
The rescue team has also brought advanced equipment to navigate the various tunnels within the coal mine. Singh further mentioned that the body of one laborer has been recovered and sent to Haflong for post-mortem examination, after which it will be returned to the family following the proper protocols.
It is significant to highlight that the body of one of the trapped miners has been retrieved by para divers, as stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday.
On the social media platform X, CM Sarma expressed, “21 Para divers have successfully recovered a deceased body from the depths of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the mourning family.”
The Chief Minister also confirmed that the rescue operation is progressing with full force, involving Army and NDRF personnel entering the well.
A total of nine laborers have been identified as being trapped in the coal mine located in Umrangso. Among these nine, one is a national from Nepal, one hails from West Bengal, while the remainder are from various regions of Assam. They have been identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khusi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary.
