The death toll from the mine blast in Meghalaya has risen to 25, while rescue operations are still going on. The blast happened in an illegal rat-hole coal mine, trapping several workers underground. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force, are working in difficult conditions to recover the remaining bodies.
Two mine owners have been arrested in connection with the incident. Police said the mine was operating illegally despite a ban on rat-hole mining. An investigation has been started to find out how the blast occurred and who is responsible.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government has been taking strict action against illegal mining. He claimed that more than 1,000 cases have been registered and hundreds of charge sheets filed in recent years. The Chief Minister assured that action would continue to prevent such accidents and protect workers’ lives.
