Preliminary investigations in the Meghalaya coal mine case have indicated that the coal mine was operating illegally in violation of existing safety norms.
Updated: February 5, 2026 7:56 PM IST
Shillong: In a breaking development, 16 labourers were killed after blast in illegal Meghalaya coal mine. The incident happened hear a suspected illegal coal mine in the Thangsko area of Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, officials said. Here are all details you need to know about what led to the accident deaths in the Meghalaya coal mine.
What led to the accident in Meghalaya?
Believed to have been caused by the use of high-intensity dynamite for mining operations which led to the collapse of adjoining mine shafts, the accident has reportedly trapping workers deep underground and raising fears of additional casualties.
Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills, Vikash Kumar, confirmed the incident and said police teams, along with disaster management personnel, were rushed to the spot soon after the explosion was reported.
“We have confirmed that the incident occurred this morning. Immediate steps have been taken, and assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been sought to carry out rescue operations,” Kumar told reporters.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the coal mine was operating illegally in violation of existing safety norms and the long-standing ban on rat-hole coal mining in the region.
As per a report carried by IANS news agency, officials said further inquiry is under way to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion and to identify those responsible for the illegal operation.
Persistent menace of illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills district
The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent menace of illegal coal mining in East Jaintia Hills district, which has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent years despite repeated enforcement drives and court-mandated bans. Meanwhile, SDRF teams from Jowai are racing against time to reach the remote accident site and conduct search and rescue operations amid unstable terrain and safety concerns.
(With inputs from agencies)
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