India Deploys Helicopters and Divers in Race to Rescue Trapped Miners
Rescue operations are underway in Dima Hasao district of Assam, where nine miners became trapped inside a flooded coal mine on Monday. Authorities fear that three miners may have died, as bodies have been spotted but not yet recovered, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
What Happened?
The mine flooded due to internal water sources, likely from a breached underground channel, said Mayank Kumar, the district police chief. This sudden flooding left the miners unable to escape.
- Cause of Flooding: “The miners probably hit a water channel, causing water to flood the shaft,” Kumar explained.
- Location: The incident occurred in a remote hilly area of Dima Hasao, a district known for its challenging terrain.
Rescue Efforts Intensify
Teams from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) are working tirelessly to reach the trapped miners.
- Resources Deployed:
- Divers to navigate the flooded tunnels.
- Helicopters for aerial reconnaissance and transportation.
- Engineers with ropes, cranes, and other rescue equipment.
- Visuals from the Site: Photos shared by the army show rescue workers standing at the edge of a large vertical mine shaft, ready with equipment.
Tragic Precedent in the Region
Coal mine disasters are not uncommon in India’s northeast, where mining often occurs in hazardous and unregulated conditions.
- In 2019, 15 miners died in an illegal mine in neighboring Meghalaya after flooding from a nearby river.
- Such incidents highlight the dangers of mining in this region, where safety protocols are often inadequate.
Current Status
As of Tuesday:
- Three bodies have been located but not yet recovered.
- Efforts are focused on reaching the remaining six trapped miners before conditions deteriorate further.
Authorities and rescue teams remain committed to saving as many lives as possible, though challenges persist due to the remote location and complex conditions of the flooded mine.
