2018 Meghalaya mining accident

The Meghalaya mining accident happened on 13 December 2018, when 15 miners were trapped in a mine in Ksan, in the Indian state of Meghalaya. While five miners managed to escape, rescue efforts for the remaining 10 continued till 2 March 2019.[1][2][3] The miners were trapped inside the coal mine at a depth of around 370 feet (112 meters) in Jaintia Hills district. The tunnel the miners were in flooded with water after they cut into an adjacent mine which was full of water from the nearby Lytein river.[4][5][6]

2018 Meghalaya mining accident
DateDecember 13, 2018 – March 2, 2019 (2018-12-13 – 2019-03-02)
LocationMeghalaya, India
Coordinates25.5602913°N 92.1936813°E / 25.5602913; 92.1936813
Outcome5 escaped, 2 confirmed deaths, 13 missing

Service personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force began operations shortly after the miners were trapped. After a request for assistance from the district administration, teams from Coal India, Kirloskar Brothers, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy joined the operation to rescue the miners.

Background

In 2014, Meghalaya’s yearly coal production was around 6 million tonnes.[7] In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), a government body that handles environmental issues in India, issued an order banning mining in Meghalaya, specifically banning mining through the 'rat-hole' technique.[4][7]

But despite the ban, in subsequent orders following petitions by coal mine owners, the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court of India continued to allow transportation of coal dug prior to the enactment of the order on 17 April 2014. On 4 December 2018 the Supreme Court again issued an order that the transportation of coal mined prior to the ban was extended to January 31, 2019.[7] However NGT as well as anti-mining activists have pointed out that illegal mining of fresh coal still continues.[7][8] In November 2018, two activists were attacked for gathering evidence of illegal coal mining in the area.[9]

Rescue attempts

Rescue operations started on 13 December. Over 100 service personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force were deployed to rescue the miners.[10] 1,200,000 litres have been pumped out of the mine but this has not helped as rain during the rescue operations and water from the river continues to flood the mine.[3] Divers have also been sent into the mine, but have only been able to reach a depth of 40 feet.[11] Sonar systems as well as cameras have failed to detect the miners.[10]

The local administration had made a request for pumps and other assistance from state owned Coal India on 20 December 2018. But the communication was received by Coal India only on 26 December.[12] On 28 December the Indian Air Force joined in the operations on 28 December 2018, airlifting pumps to the site. Teams from Coal India and Kirloskar Brothers are also providing expertise.[13][14] On 29 December, a 15-member diving team from the Indian Navy also joined in the operation.[15][16]

Media reports appeared on 27 December that the miners may be dead on the basis of a statement by a diver of the NDRF, which mentioned the presence of a "foul smell" coming from the mine. The NDRF shortly after clarified that this did not mean the miners were dead, and the foul smell could be coming due to other reasons, such as "stagnated water".[14][17]

After a petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India, the solicitor general, Tushar Mehta, informed the court that the rescue efforts were additionally difficulty because there were no blueprints for the 355-feet mine where the miners are trapped. Water flowing into the mine from the nearby river was also making the operation more difficult.[18][19]

The Indian Army and Navy decided to cease operations on 2 March 2019. The operation was one of the longest efforts to rescue miners in India. Only two decomposed bodies were found which were handed over to family members.[20]

Reactions

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, has called for regulation of mining in the state, admitting that illegal mining happens in the state.[9][21] Meghalaya Police arrested the owner of the coal mine on 15 December 2018.[10] Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the Narendra Modi government over the issue.[11][22]

After a petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India related to the rescue effort. The Supreme Court said on 3 January 2019:[23][24]

"We're not satisfied with rescue operations. No matter whether they are all dead, some alive, few dead or all alive, they should be taken out. We pray to God they are alive."

— Supreme Court of India, 3 Jan 2019

See also

References
  1. Karmakar, Rahul (13 December 2018). "13 feared dead in Meghalaya coal mine". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  2. "Meghalaya mine collapse: Have sought powerful pumps, they will arrive soon, says Coal India". The Indian Express. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  3. "Rescue Ops On, but No Update on Trapped Miners in Flooded Meghalaya Mine". The Weather Channel. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  4. Editorial (27 December 2018). "No lessons learnt: on Meghalaya mining disaster". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  5. "Tests confirm Lytein river water entered coal mine". The Shillong Times. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  6. "Families of miners trapped in Meghalaya seek miracle". The Times of India. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  7. Saha, Abhishek (28 December 2018). "Meghalaya: Mining ban, moving allowed, in between the tragedy". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  8. Mukhim, D Banjop (26 December 2018). "Rat-Hole Mining Rampant in Meghalaya Despite NGT Ban". The Wire. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  9. Siangshai, Sannio (24 December 2018). "Race to save trapped 'rat-hole' miners". BBC. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  10. IANS (15 December 2018). "Sonar system fails to detect trapped coal miners in Meghalaya". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  11. Shali, Pooja (27 December 2018). "Not giving up but huge logistical challenge to rescue trapped miners: Meghalaya CM". India Today. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  12. Parashar, Utpal; Mohanty, Debabrata (28 December 2018). "IAF plane with 20 pumps lands, 200-km drive next to reach trapped miners". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  13. Nair, Arun (28 December 2018). "Meghalaya Rescue Operation Live Updates: Air Force, Coal India Teams To Reach Today". NDTV. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  14. PTI (27 December 2018). "Meghalaya mining mishap: Kirloskar Brothers offer high power pumps to drain water from mine". Livemint. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  15. Ghosh, Aditi (29 December 2018). "Meghalaya Rescue Operation Updates: Navy Divers, High-Pressure Pumps To Reach Site Today". NDTV. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  16. "Navy divers to join rescue operation for trapped Meghalaya miners". The Times of India. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  17. Naqvi, Sadiq (27 December 2018). "Meghalaya mining accident: Foul smell in mine as water stagnates, pumps will take '4 more days to arrive'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  18. "With No Blueprints, Meghalaya Mine Rescue Difficult: Centre To Top Court". NDTV. PTI. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-05.CS1 maint: others (link)
  19. "Absence of blueprint posing hurdles in rescue of trapped Meghalaya miners: Centre tells Supreme Court". Hindustan Times. HT Correspondent. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-05.CS1 maint: others (link)
  20. "Navy, Army Decide To End Operation In Meghalaya's Mine Tragedy". NDTV. Press Trust of India. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-02.CS1 maint: others (link)
  21. Choudhury, Ratnadip (15 December 2018). "Meghalaya Admits To Illegal Coal Extraction After 13 Get Trapped In Mine". NDTV. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  22. "'15 trapped miners gasp for air...': Rahul Gandhi takes a shot at PM Modi". Hindustan Times. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  23. ""Every Second Counts": Top Court On Rescue Of Trapped Meghalaya Miners". NDTV. Edited by Shylaja Varma with inputs from Agencies. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-04.CS1 maint: others (link)
  24. "'Not satisfied' with rescue ops, Supreme Court seeks Centre response". Hindustan Times. HT Correspondent. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-04.CS1 maint: others (link)
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