Assam Mine Flooding Claims One Life, 8 Workers Still Trapped Amid Rescue Operations

Assam (The Uttam Hindu): Nine workers have been trapped for the past 48 hours in a 300-feet-deep coal mine in the Umrangso area of Dima Hasao district. Latest reports confirm that a body has been recovered from the mine located near 3 Kilo in Umrangso. The search and rescue efforts are still underway. On January 6 the mine was unexpectedly flooded prompting a rescue operation involving the army. The mission was temporarily halted on Tuesday night but resumed the following morning.

According to reports, a joint rescue effort is underway involving the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF teams and other agencies. A miner whose brother is trapped described the chaos stating "Suddenly, people started shouting that the mine was flooding; 30-35 people managed to escape but 15-16 workers remained trapped inside."

Dima Hasao District SP Mayank Jha confirmed that many workers are feared to be trapped. Eyewitnesses reported that the sudden inflow of water prevented the workers from escaping in time. Emergency response teams, local officials and mining experts have been working together to trace the trapped individuals.