Illegal Rat-Hole Mining Disaster Claims 18 Lives in Northeast India

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Meghalaya: At least eighteen people have lost their lives after a powerful explosion tore through an unregulated coal mining site in India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya, officials confirmed on Thursday. The blast occurred early in the morning in the remote East Jaintia Hills district, where narrow, unauthorised underground tunnels locally known as “rat-hole” mines are dug to extract coal.

Rescue teams including state police, disaster response units and specialised personnel rushed to the scene following reports of the explosion. As of late Thursday, authorities had recovered the bodies of 18 workers from the wreckage. At least one injured miner was pulled out and transferred to a hospital in Shillong for treatment, but several others are still feared to be trapped deep inside the unstable tunnels.

Local police and disaster officials said the blast likely occurred during active mining operations and may have been triggered by the use of explosives, although formal investigations into the exact cause are ongoing. The site is believed to have been operating illegally, disregarding numerous safety regulations and longstanding bans on rat-hole mining in the region.

The hazardous nature of rat-hole mining involving narrow horizontal shafts often just large enough for a single person has repeatedly drawn criticism from environmental watchdogs and regulators. The National Green Tribunal banned such informal mining practices in Meghalaya in 2014, but enforcement challenges have allowed them to persist in remote areas.

In response to the tragedy, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed deep sorrow and announced that a comprehensive inquiry has been ordered to determine responsibility and prevent similar incidents in the future. Authorities have pledged to take strict legal action against those found to be operating or facilitating illegal mining activities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased. The Prime Minister’s Office announced an ex-gratia compensation package from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), including ₹2 lakh for each bereaved family and additional assistance for the injured.

As rescue operations are set to resume with better visibility and additional support, officials have warned that the death toll and number of missing workers may change. The incident has reignited debate over worker safety and the ongoing prevalence of illegal mining in parts of northeast India