Army engaged in rescuing workers trapped in Assam coal mine

Army personnel have been engaged to rescue nine labourers trapped inside a coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, officials said on Tuesday.

A relief task force with specialists such as divers and sappers, equipped with essential tools, reached the site in Umrangso to rescue the miners, a defence spokesperson said.

“Engineers task force with equipment, divers and medical teams from the Indian army and the Assam Rifles have joined the rescue efforts,” he said.

All efforts are underway in close coordination with the civil administration to rescue the trapped people, another official said.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the army for extending their help in the rescue operations.

‘Much gratitude for this quick response. We are deploying all possible efforts to ensure the safe return of our miners,’ the chief minister posted on ‘X’.

NDRF and SDRF personnel are also at the site to rescue the miners trapped inside the coal mine.

Two water pumping machines were also put into use to flush out the water, an official said.

Much gratitude for this quick response. We are deploying all possible efforts to ensure the safe return of our miners. https://t.co/ngEZZMtx6e

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 6, 2025

Since Monday, nine labourers have been trapped inside the mine at the Assam Coal Quarry, situated in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso after a sudden gush of water flooded the site.

According to employees of the quarry, there were around 15 workers inside the mine, though the authorities did not confirm the number.

The chief minister listed the names of the trapped labourers - Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar and Sarat Goyary.

‘Distressing news from Umrangshu, where labourers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The DC, SP and my colleague Kaushik Rai are rushing to the site. Praying to God for everyone’s safety,’ Sarma had said in a post on X.

Eyewitness accounts and initial assessments suggest that the flooding occurred unexpectedly, leaving the workers unable to escape from the mine.

Distressing news from Umrangshu, where laborers are trapped in a coal mine. The exact number and status are yet unknown. The DC, SP, and my colleague, Shri Kaushik Rai, are rushing to the site. Praying to God for everyone’s safety.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 6, 2025

Rescue operations were launched immediately with teams consisting of local authorities, emergency responders and mining experts working to locate and free the trapped workers, the officials said.