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Crime
30 Dead in Illegal Coal Mine Explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills
✍️ newsonair.gov.in
🗓 09 Aug 2026, 08:18 PM
👁 22
An explosion in an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya has claimed 30 lives, officials say.
A blast at an illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya has killed 30 workers, according to local authorities. The explosion occurred early this morning, trapping miners beneath the collapsed shaft. Rescue teams were dispatched promptly, but the depth and instability of the site hampered recovery efforts.
The mine, which operated without the required permits, was being used by a small group of miners who had been extracting coal for years. Police have confirmed that the site violated several safety regulations, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blast.
Local officials have urged the state government to intensify inspections of unregistered mines across the region. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining laws to prevent similar tragedies.
The mine, which operated without the required permits, was being used by a small group of miners who had been extracting coal for years. Police have confirmed that the site violated several safety regulations, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blast.
Local officials have urged the state government to intensify inspections of unregistered mines across the region. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of mining laws to prevent similar tragedies.