Deep divers from the Indian Navy have been sent to help authorities in the rescue operation of nine workers trapped in a coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district since Monday evening after a sudden influx of water inundated the area. Officials report that the water level in the quarry has alarmingly increased to nearly 100 feet.
Navy divers were transported from Visakhapatnam to aid a 30-member squad from the National Disaster Response Force and an additional team from the State Disaster Response Force, which had eight members present at the location to save the trapped workers.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the coal mine seems to be “functioning unlawfully” and noted that a case under appropriate sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, has been filed to investigate the matter.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that an individual named Punish Nunisa has been apprehended regarding the case.
Also read: Delhi Elections: A battle of esteem for AAP amid corruption charges
Rescue Efforts Underway
The rescue operations, initiated soon after the flooding event, have involved cooperation among several agencies, including the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and local officials. Experts like sappers, divers, and medical units have been sent to the location with sophisticated tools.
A team made up of divers and engineers from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles performed two diving operations at the mine in Umrangso, located in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, to save the miners who were trapped.
Army engineers are presently helping the civil administration in pumping water out of the mine and in organizing the supply of sufficient lighting to brighten the area, an official informed India Today TV.
The combined rescue operations will persist overnight, and search activities will resume again tomorrow morning.
In spite of ongoing attempts, none of the workers trapped have been saved until now.
