One dead body has been recovered from the collapsed coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso, where nine miners were trapped on January 6. According to a statement from an NDRF official, one body has been recovered by the divers of NDRF, the Indian army.
The joint rescue operation led by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies resumed early morning to rescue nine miners trapped in a coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, Dima Hasao.
The operation had to be temporarily halted the previous evening but resumed with full force today, January 6. According to NDRF Deputy Commandant, N. Tiwari, the efforts are continuing round-the-clock with an expanded team.
“The operation was closed yesterday evening, and we have resumed the operation again this morning. We expect and hope to reach our miners as soon as possible and rescue them,” he said.
Tiwari added that the combined forces of the NDRF and the Army are working on the ground, with support expected from the Navy in the coming hours.
“Everyone from our commandant, our team, the army are here. Later, the officials from the Navy will also join the rescue operation,” he said.
HPS Kandari, Commandant of the 1st Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), spoke to media regarding the complex mine rescue mission. Speaking about the difficulties faced by the joint rescue team, Kandari said, “Many attempts were made yesterday but we didn’t succeed… A joint team dived today (in the mine) and we have recovered one body.”
The mine collapse, which trapped several workers, has posed numerous challenges for rescue teams due to the hazardous conditions underground. Diving experts are now being called upon for specialized support. Kandari highlighted the dangers and uncertainties of the operation, stating, “Diving in other places is another thing but in these situations, we need experts as we cannot guesstimate what conditions would be there inside. There can be several types of mining equipment which can hinder the rescue process.”
The mine is reported to have multiple rat holes, complicating the search for survivors. Kandari elaborated on the difficulty of locating trapped individuals: “We are told that there are rat holes down there – depending on where other people are trapped – this operation will continue.”
A miner who worked in the mine said, “A lot of people were in the mine and suddenly people started shouting that water is filling, around 30-35 people came up and nearly 15-16 were still trapped.”
Meanwhile, as the rescue operation continued in Umrangso, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced the registration of an FIR and the arrest of one individual in connection with the incident.
In a post on X, Sarma informed, “The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa has been arrested in connection with the case.”
The police have registered an FIR under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, citing Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident. Prima facie, it appears to be an illegal mine. One Punish Nunisa… https://t.co/P21Xv6HT9V
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 7, 2025
The CM had also discussed the rescue operation with Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy and sought assistance.
“I also spoke to Hon’ble Union Coal Minister, Shri @kishanreddybjp, seeking assistance for our rescue operation in Umrangsu. He has promptly issued directions to @CoalIndiaHQ to extend full support to the Assam government in this mission. My sincere gratitude to him for his swift response and support,” CM Sarma posted on X.
(with inputs from ANI)
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