Meghalaya Rat-Hole Mine Tragedy Claims 18 Lives, Rescue Operations Underway
A devastating explosion in an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 workers, with rescue teams racing against time to search for more trapped miners. The incident, which occurred on February 5, 2026, has highlighted the dangerous and persistent illegal mining operations in the region, despite bans imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court.
Perilous Rescue Efforts in Narrow Tunnels
Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Special Rescue Team are underway, facing extreme challenges due to the mine's hazardous conditions. According to NDRF Inspector Anurag Kumar Singh, the mine features a central vertical pit over 100 feet deep, with three narrow rat-hole tunnels branching out at the bottom. These tunnels are only 2 feet high and 3 feet wide, forcing rescuers to crawl through them.
"At a depth of approximately 50 feet, water dripping causes mud to fall downwards, complicating the rescue," Singh explained. "One of the rat-holes is filled with water, preventing further search, while the other two have been explored up to 25 feet without finding more bodies. However, many additional rat-holes branch out from these tunnels, making the operation highly risky."
Remote Location and Legal Actions
The mine's remote location, 25 km from the district headquarters, adds to the difficulty, requiring a three-hour journey on rough terrain accessible only by 4-wheel drive vehicles. In response to the tragedy, the East Jaintia Hills Police have registered an FIR under charges including culpable homicide, violation of the Mines and Minerals Act, and the Explosive Substances Act. Two local individuals, identified as the mine owners, have been arrested.
Longstanding Warnings Ignored
Justice (Retd) BP Katakey, appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to monitor illegal coal mining, emphasized that this disaster was long foretold. "Widespread illegal mining in East Jaintia Hills has been flagged repeatedly, but no one in the state, except the high court, is taking it seriously," he stated. The court has summoned the district Deputy Commissioner and SP to explain the ongoing situation.
Katakey's committee reported on January 17 that East Jaintia Hills is the most affected district, with illegal mining continuing on a large scale. The committee noted a previous incident on January 14 in the same Thangkso area, where a miner died in another illegal mine. Historically, the NGT committee in 2019 found over 22,000 illegal mine openings in East Jaintia Hills alone, with more than 25,000 across Meghalaya.
History of Similar Incidents
This tragedy echoes past disasters in the district, including the 2018 Ksan incident where 15 miners died in a flooded rat-hole mine and the Umpleng incident with five fatalities. Katakey warned, "While this continues unabated, with a lack of serious action, this was an incident waiting to happen. There have been many smaller ones, and it is likely many more have gone unnoticed."
As rescue efforts persist and investigations deepen, the Meghalaya rat-hole mine tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement and accountability to prevent future loss of life in these perilous operations.
