Assam: Fifth Body Found In Umrangso Coal Mine After 44 Days Of Intense Rescue Operations

HAFLONG: Rescue efforts continue in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, where a tragic coal mine disaster has left 11 workers still trapped underground. On Wednesday afternoon, rescue teams recovered a fifth body from the flooded coal mine located in the Tin Kilo area of Umrangso, following 44 days of extensive search operations. The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed.

The rescue efforts are being led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and have evoked huge public interest and heated debate regarding legal and political accountability in the wake of the disaster. The Gauhati High Court on February 14 heard a hearing related to illegal coal mining in Assam, wherein the state government filed an affidavit listing steps taken against illegal coal mining. The court has ordered 14 cases of rat-hole mining to be heard jointly and a suo motu case that is associated with the Umrangso tragedy.

Akhil Gogoi, the leader of Raijor Dal and Sibsagar MLA, in the Assam Assembly raised concerns over the rescue operation stating that 11 workers remain trapped. He called for immediate action like adjournment of the assembly session till the rescue of the workers and constituting a fact-finding committee to inquire into the incident.

Assam's Minister of Mines & Minerals Kaushik Rai confirmed the recovery of the latest body, stating identification is awaited. Five bodies have been recovered to date from the site, with nine individuals initially reported trapped.

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