A devastating dynamite explosion in an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills has killed at least 18 to 25 workers, exposing the dangers of banned mining practices.
Incident Overview
The blast struck the Thangsko area mine on February 5, 2026, around 11:30 AM, causing shafts to collapse and trap laborers underground. Rescue teams including NDRF, SDRF, police, and fire services rushed in, but operations faced challenges from unstable terrain, darkness, and toxic gases like methane. One survivor with critical injuries was airlifted to Shillong for treatment.
Casualties and Response
Death toll reports vary from 25 confirmed bodies recovered, with others possibly still trapped.
Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma ordered a probe, vowing strict action and ex-gratia payments, while PM Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh compensation per family and expressed condolences. Two individuals linked to the mine were arrested.
Root Causes
The mine operated illegally despite a 2014 National Green Tribunal ban on rat-hole mining due to safety and environmental risks.
Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy blamed unauthorized operations, urging stricter enforcement nationwide. This incident renews calls to end such hazardous practices in the coal-rich region.
