Shillong: A powerful dynamite explosion at an illegal coal mining site in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district claimed the lives of at least four people and left one person critically injured on Thursday, officials confirmed.
The blast took place in the remote Mynsngat Thankso area, where illegal mining was being carried out. The explosion caused a portion of the hill to collapse, prompting fears that additional miners may still be buried beneath the rubble.
Emergency response teams, including bomb disposal units, forensic experts, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Fire and Emergency Service personnel, were immediately deployed to the site to evaluate the damage and assist in rescue efforts.
East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said the explosion resulted from the use of dynamite at the illegal mining operation.
“So far, four bodies have been recovered from the site. One injured person with severe burns has been taken to Shillong for medical treatment,” Kumar said.
Authorities noted that rescue operations are ongoing but have been hampered by difficult terrain and the site’s inaccessibility. Officials added that the possibility of more miners being trapped under the debris cannot be ruled out.
The latest incident follows another deadly blast reported on December 23, 2025, in Thangsko village of the same district, where two coal miners lost their lives and several others were injured. One miner died on the day of the incident, while another, Ashok Tamang, later succumbed to his injuries at Shillong Civil Hospital on January 1.
Rat-hole coal mining was banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April 2014 due to its hazardous and unscientific practices, severe environmental impact, and recurring loss of life. However, illegal mining activities continue in parts of Meghalaya.
Justice (retired) Brojendra Prasad Katakey, appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to oversee coal-related matters, has repeatedly pointed out that unlawful coal extraction and transportation remain widespread despite repeated assurances from the state government.
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