In a grim development from the coal mine accident in Assam?s Dima Hasao district, the body of one of the nine miners trapped inside the flooded mine was recovered on Wednesday. The recovery was made by a diving team from the Indian Army on the third day of an intense rescue operation.

Rescue Efforts Continue Round-the-Clock

The rescue operation, led by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, resumed early Wednesday after a temporary halt the previous evening. Efforts are being conducted around the clock, with additional teams and equipment deployed to expedite the mission, according to NDRF Deputy Commandant N. Tiwari.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X, confirmed the recovery of the lifeless body and expressed condolences to the grieving family. He assured that rescue operations remain in full swing. ?Divers from the army and NDRF have already entered the well, while navy personnel are on site, preparing to join the efforts,? Sarma said.

Incident Overview

The tragic incident occurred on January 6 when a sudden flood inundated the rat-hole coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, a region notorious for extensive and often illegal mining activities.

The miners, aged between 26 and 57, were working deep underground when an apparent breach in an underground water source caused rapid flooding. While the bodies of three workers were spotted near the surface on January 7, the recovery has been delayed due to the mine?s depth, approximately 300 feet below ground, and hazardous conditions inside.

Illegal Mining Suspected

Chief Minister Sarma disclosed that the mine appears to have been operating illegally. One individual has been arrested in connection with the disaster, though further details about the mine's ownership and regulatory oversight are still under investigation.

Challenging Rescue Conditions

Rescue operations are being hindered by the mine?s remote location, steep terrain, and the treacherous conditions within the flooded site. Helmets and slippers seen floating on the water?s surface have amplified fears for the safety of the remaining eight trapped miners.

Victims and Their Origins

The miners include individuals from Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal. Among them are:

• Ganga Bahadur Shreth from Nepal?s Udaypur district
• Krishna Pada Sarkar from West Bengal?s Jalpaiguri
• Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, and Mustafa Sheikh from Assam

Rescue Operations Expand

NDRF divers, army personnel, and navy specialists remain steadfast in their efforts to retrieve the remaining miners. The deployment of advanced diving equipment and the expertise of navy divers are expected to accelerate recovery attempts.