Rescue teams at the Umrangso coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district recovered a second body on Friday, raising the death toll in the ongoing tragedy to two. Efforts to locate the remaining seven miners, trapped since January 6, continue amidst challenging conditions. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the recovery on his official X handle, expressing condolences to the bereaved families. “Rescue efforts in Umrangso continue with unwavering resolve. Tragically, another body was recovered this morning, with the identity yet to be confirmed. Our hearts go out to the grieving, as we hold onto hope and strength in this difficult time,” he posted.
The identity of the second victim remains unverified, while rescue operations persist with teams working tirelessly to pump out water from the flooded mine. The operation involves specialized divers and rescue personnel navigating treacherous conditions to locate the missing miners. On January 8, the first victim, identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho, a resident of Nepal’s Udayapur district, was retrieved by divers from the 21 Para Special Forces of the Indian Army. His recovery marked a somber milestone in the rescue mission, which began after the miners were trapped in the abandoned coal mine following heavy flooding.
Chief Minister Sarma, addressing concerns over the mine’s status, clarified that the site was officially declared abandoned 12 years ago but was not classified as illegal. “While abandoned, it is not an illegal site. Investigations will reveal how the miners accessed the area,” he stated, adding that dewatering efforts are underway to support the rescue mission.