Meghalaya Illegal Coal Mine Blast Kills 10 Workers, Several Feared Trapped

Published on: 05 Feb 2026 at 06:59 PM

Published by: Gill Bikram

Meghalaya Illegal Coal Mine Blast Kills 10 Workers, Several Feared Trapped

Shillong, February 5, 2026: A massive dynamite explosion in an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya has claimed 10 workers’ lives. In Thursday’s incident, one worker is critically injured and has been referred to Shillong for treatment. Fears persist that several others remain trapped under debris.

Incident Details

This tragic event occurred in the remote Mynsngat Thangskho area of East Jaintia Hills. Initial information reveals:

Illegal mining was underway on a hillside.
The dynamite blast caused a portion of the hill to collapse, burying workers under rubble.
Police Superintendent Vikas Kumar confirmed that four bodies have been recovered so far.

Administrative Response

Upon receiving news of the blast, teams from the bomb squad, forensic experts, SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), and fire brigade rushed to the site. Rescue and relief operations are underway at full speed to extract those trapped under the debris.

Questions on Illegal Mining

This incident raises serious concerns about ongoing illegal mining in Meghalaya:

NGT Ban: The National Green Tribunal imposed a ban on “rat-hole” mining in April 2014.
Previous Incidents: On December 23, 2025, a similar blast in the same village killed two workers.
Lack of Monitoring: According to retired Justice B.P. Katakey, despite government claims, illegal coal mining and transportation continue unchecked in the state.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had previously asserted that the administration is vigilant, but this latest event tells a different story on the ground.