Meghalaya Mine Blast: 10 Dead in Illegal Coal Mining Explosion

Shillong, Meghalaya: A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, where a blast at a coal mine claimed the lives of 10 workers and left several others injured. The injured have been referred to hospitals in Shillong for treatment.

The explosion occurred at an illegal coal mining site in the Mynsinghat-Thangskoh area. East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikas Kumar, confirmed the incident, though the identities of the deceased are yet to be officially established. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have indicated that it may take time to recover all victims.

This is not the first such incident in the region. A similar dynamite explosion took place in the same area on December 23, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of two miners.

Rescue and Relief Operations Underway

According to reports from The Assam Tribune, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with firefighting and emergency services personnel, has been deployed to assist in rescue and relief efforts. Preliminary reports suggest that the hill where illegal mining was underway partially collapsed following the blast, potentially trapping more miners.

Political and Regulatory Fallout

The recurring accidents have once again brought illegal coal mining in Meghalaya into the spotlight. Investigations have been initiated to determine how such unlawful mining operations have been allowed to continue and whether any collusion with local authorities was involved. The opposition has raised questions about government oversight and accountability.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and has sought a detailed report from the state government.

The incident underscores the ongoing dangers posed by illegal mining operations in the region and raises urgent questions about regulatory enforcement and worker safety.