Meghalaya Coal Mine Blast Update: Death Toll Rises to 18, Helpline numbers released

The death toll in the devastating explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 18, officials said on Friday, marking a sharp increase from the 10 fatalities reported earlier. Among the deceased are six workers from Katigorah constituency in Assam’s Cachar district—five reported on Thursday and one more confirmed later.

The blast occurred on Thursday while labourers were engaged in their routine mining operations. According to early reports, a sudden explosion triggered the collapse of soil and debris due to heavy weight falling inside the mine, followed by a fire, trapping several workers underground. The incident initially left at least 10 workers dead, including five labourers from Cachar district, prompting large-scale rescue operations.

As rescue efforts continue, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) remain deployed at the site. More than 50 workers have been rescued in an injured condition so far, with several reported to be in critical condition. Five injured workers have been admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, while others are receiving treatment at hospitals in Shillong and Khliehriat. Officials have cautioned that the death toll may rise further as search and rescue operations progress.

The six deceased workers from Katigorah constituency have been identified as two brothers from Sarisakuri village—Dildar Hussain and Anwar Hussain; Faruk Ahmed from Bihar; two brothers from Gumra Rajpur—Puranjay Vaishnav and Nikenjay Vaishnav; and Krishna Vaishnav from Gumra.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Cachar district administration has opened helpline numbers to assist families in tracing workers employed in coal mines in Meghalaya and to provide updates on the situation. The helpline numbers are 03842-239249 and 9401624141. The administration said the control room would function round the clock.

Cachar Additional Deputy Commissioner Raktim Barua, Katigorah Circle Officer Jatrakanta Karmakar, and representatives of the Disaster Management Department are present at the incident site and coordinating with local authorities. Families have been advised to contact these officials for information and assistance.

Acting on the Chief Minister’s directions, Karimganj North MLA Kamalakshya De Purkayastha visited the families of the deceased workers from Katigorah late on Thursday night to enquire about their condition. He met the bereaved families at their homes and conveyed the state government’s decision to provide ₹5 lakh as ex-gratia assistance to each family of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the injured workers undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital have been identified as Saidur Rahman of Kalain, Ramchandra Vaishnav, Niman Uddin, Bishnudan Vaishnav, and Krishnadan Vaishnav.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue operations remain underway, amid concerns that more casualties may be discovered inside the mine.

Also Read: Five Assam Workers Among 10 Killed in Meghalaya Coal Mine Blast