NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Supreme Court Of India
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Indian Army
    Indian Railways
    Indian Air Force
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / India News / Meghalaya: Navy divers enter mine to find trapped miners
    India

    Meghalaya: Navy divers enter mine to find trapped miners

    Meghalaya: Navy divers enter mine to find trapped miners
    Written by Shiladitya Ray
    Dec 30, 2018, 05:03 pm 3 min read
    Meghalaya: Navy divers enter mine to find trapped miners

    A couple of days after the Indian Air Force transported heavy-duty pumps to the rat hole coal mine in Meghalaya where 15 miners are trapped, rescue operations have resumed, and authorities are making the final push. As it stands, a team of Navy divers and NDRF personnel have entered the mine to try and find the trapped miners. Here are the details.

    Backstory: The miners have been trapped for over two weeks

    The mine in question is located in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, near the Lytein river in Ksan village. Reportedly, the miners started work on the illegal mine on December 11, and got trapped on December 13 when water from the Lytein river gushed in and flooded the mine. It's believed that the miners accidentally breached an old, flooded mine, leading to the disaster.

    Initial efforts to pump out water proved to be ineffective

    Subsequently, after two weeks of ineffective efforts to pump out water from the flooded mine, the Indian Air Force, on Friday, transported heavy-duty pumps from Coal India to help with the operation. A team of 20 personnel from the Odisha Fire Services also joined in on the operation, and subsequently, a team of 18 divers from the Indian Navy were flown in from Visakhapatnam.

    What have rescue efforts yielded so far?

    Notably, over the two weeks that have passed since rescue attempts began, authorities have had very little success in locating the miners and ascertaining their status. The only things that have been found, so far, are three helmets believed to belong to the miners. Earlier in the week, NDRF divers had found a foul smell emanating from the pit, and many fear the worst.

    Rescue forces are stepping up attempts now

    However, rescue forces have not given up hope yet. Earlier, divers could not enter the mine as the water level was too high for them to attempt a rescue. Armed with heavy-duty pumps now, rescue forces are stepping up their attempts, and a team of Navy divers and NDRF personnel entered the mine shaft at around 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

    One can only wait and hope for the miners' return

    However, rescue attempts will be far from easy. The main mine pit itself is 350ft deep, and the rat holes are at the bottom of the mine shaft. To reach the rat holes, divers will have to brave many dangers, including jagged edges that could damage their diving suits and oxygen apparatus. Now, the only this left to do is wait and hope.

    Similar tragic incidents have taken place before

    As unfortunate as it is, this isn't the first incident of this nature. In 2012, at least 15 people got trapped inside a similar 'rat hole' mine in the South Garo Hills, and their bodies were never found. Subsequently, in 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned such mines owing to their unscientific nature, and risks involved. Evidently, the ban wasn't strictly enforced.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Meghalaya
    Indian Navy
    Indian Air Force
    Coal India

    Meghalaya

    Odisha Fire-Services team leaves for Meghalaya to rescue trapped miners Odisha
    Meghalaya: Air Force transports heavy-duty pumps to rescue trapped miners Indian Air Force
    Meghalaya: Trapped for two weeks, 15 miners feared dead National Green Tribunal (NGT)
    Stop posing, help trapped Meghalaya coal miners: Rahul urges Modi Narendra Modi

    Indian Navy

    Kochi: Two Navy personnel killed in hangar door collapse Kochi
    Indian Navy inducts deep submergence rescue vehicle India
    #RajasthanElections: Modi says Congress gave Kartarpur to Pak in 1947 Narendra Modi
    Only dignified activities allowed on INS Viraat: Vice Admiral Luthra Mumbai

    Indian Air Force

    VVIP Chopper case: Former Air-Chief Tyagi permitted to travel abroad Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    ISRO launches "Angry Bird" satellite to boost defense communication capabilities India
    #RafaleDeal: Satisfied with Centre's process, SC dismisses petition seeking probe India
    #RafaleDeal: SC verdict on court-monitored probe due for Friday India

    Coal India

    PM lays foundation stone for Rs. 13,000cr Talcher fertilizer project Odisha
    Delhi coal-stocks can supply power for 1.5 days only: Jain Piyush Goyal
    After Air India fiasco, Modi-govt now plans Coal India sale India
    BSE rebounds 69 points; market opens higher ahead of RBI-policy Bharti Airtel

    Love India News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    India Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023